Nagaland youths told to take bold steps; not waste precious time in pursuit of government jobs

Kohima: In an attempt to encourage youth tap the resources at their disposal as well as reduce the dependency on government sector and migrant workers, the Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (AGOK) on Monday organised a sensitisation programme on skill development and entrepreneurship for 100 selected educated unemployed youth and their parents/guardians in Kohima.

Speaking at the event, AGOK president Neilasa Sopfü informed that they have identified 100 educated youth — Class 10 and above — from the Angami community to provide skill-related training and help them venture into different avenues for employment, in the presence of their parents/guardians.

Maintaining that dependency on jobs in the government sector continues despite its saturation in the state, he said scores of educated youth keep competing for a handful of vacant government posts, wasting their precious time in the process.

He encouraged the young minds to look out for self-employment, take bold steps and tap in the resources available before the non-Nagas completely dominate the markets in the state.

Angami Public Organization (APO) president Razouvotuo Chatsu lauded the AGOK for organising the job-oriented programme for the youngsters while asking the officials to rededicate themselves in discharging their duties for the public and to leave a legacy behind so that the people will remember them even after their retirement.

On the recent meeting between the chief ministers of Nagaland and Assam on oil exploration and natural gas commission, he said scores of technical staff such as electricians, plumbers, machine men, etc. would be required if the deal is implemented.

Providing as insight on the unemployment issue, director of Employment and Skill Development, Kovi Meyase informed that five out of every 100 persons are unemployed in India, while it is 19 out of every 100 persons in Nagaland, as per the statistics.

There are more than 2,00,000 people in Kohima district, out of which about 54,000 of them are either unskilled, unemployed or uneducated, which is a serious concern, he said.

Recalling a government official’s update at a seminar that about 45,000 non-Nagas generate an annual income of INR 450 crore from the districts of Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung alone, Meyase lamented the inability of the Nagas to take advantage of the opportunities in their own land while others are flourishing even without any backing from government or politicians.

He said it is high time to emphasis on skill development and entrepreneurship, even as he wondered if human development has been sidelined while giving more importance to infrastructure development.   

AGOK advisor Kezhazelhou Theünuo informed that more than 6000 trade licenses have being registered in Kohima with majority of them under Angami names but it is a well-known fact that non-Naga traders are actually vending their business activities in huge numbers.

Taking cognizance of this issue, Theünuo, who is also the CEO of Kohima Smart City, stressed on the need to address it with the APO.

Vikhozo Vitsu, also an advisor of AGOK, informed that out of 23,777 shops in Nagaland, only about 6,722 shops are run by Nagas while the remaining 17,055 are operated by others.

During the programme, Angami Youth Organization (AYO) president Kesosul Christopher Ltu informed that the documents of almost all the mainland Indians trading in Nagaland are found to be “authentic” but those coming from the three Barak valley districts of Assam namely – Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj are “questionable”.

Claiming that Nagaland was the first state in the country to be impacted by the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) Act by Assam, he expressed fear on possible influx of people from the areas into the state and grabbing the employment opportunities.

Angami Students’ Union (ASU) president Bisevi Nakhro also informed that there are about 6,220 registered shops under Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) and 3000 shops under Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI).

It was informed that the ASU had conducted an ILP drive and registered 2000 shops in Kohima during March, while the second phase of the exercise is expected to be held in May or June.

Nakhro said it was found out during their last enumeration drive that out of 3889 registered business establishments in its jurisdiction, 1,285 were under Angamis, 905 – Hindus, 825 – other tribes, 635 – Muslims, 195 – non-Nagas, and 42 – partnerships but many of outlets under the Angamis were run by others.

Representatives from Chakhroma Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (CGOK), Northern Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (NAGOK), Southern Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (SAGOK), Western Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (WAGOK), and Angami Women Organization (AWO) spoke at the event.

Kikrusetuo John Pienyü, founder, Arintin Ventures Pvt. Ltd., co-founder, PetaFac Foods Pvt. Ltd. and OX Venture Pvt. Ltd.; and entrepreneur Kuvera Chiero shared their success stories to the youth at the programme.

Rito Kapfo, a colleague of Kikrusetuo John Pienyü also spoke on Escrow Capital, a hybrid investment firm.