Only youths can take state’s economy forward, says Hekani Jakhalu

DIMAPUR — Advisor of Industries and Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, on Saturday, said the economy of the state can be taken forward only by the youths.

Maintaining that her main objective is to work for the young people, Jakhalu also stressed on the foundation of YouthNet and her objective to address the unemployment issue in the state.

Speaking during the LaunchPad education and Career Fair 2023 at Tetso College, Chümoukedima, she encouraged the students to work hard in life.

‘Every young person wants to be successful but some do not make it; the only difference is hard work,’ she opined.

Further, she appealed to the youngsters to be hungry to learn because in the present world of technology, there is no excuse to say ‘I don’t know’; they should be clear of what they want to know.

Nagaland has highest unemployment rate in country

Nagaland has the highest unemployment rate in the country as per survey report released in 2022, stated Chubarenla Longchari, Youth Resource Officer, department of Youth resources and Sports on Saturday.

This, she said, was because of the present mindset of the general population to consider government jobs as the only viable form of employment in the state.

She updated that as per the survey report, 19.2% are among those aged 15 and above, 40.7% among those with a graduate degree and 45.2% with a postgraduate degree.

She expressed that the tendency to view the job market or career prospect with this limited vision cancels out any other important factor such as one’s aptitude, talent and skills, inclination or aspirations.

A big part of this problem can be resolved beginning with the youth itself, and how they plan out their education and the career choices they see for themselves, she opined.

Therefore, to help the youths, the department in partnership with Youth Net has introduced a programme called LaunchPad to help the youth across all 44 government higher secondary schools in 12 districts, she added.

She shared that the programme was started with the belief that every young person has the potential to shape their own future; it does not necessarily mean through academics alone, but also identifying their skills and passion.

Longchari said the programme should not be a one-side effort, but expressed hope that the youths can genuinely use the opportunity that this platform provides.

During the programme, alumni speeches were also delivered by Rosy Konyak from Mon, Ayimwati from Mokokchung and Tsarobi Sangtam from Kiphire. Nuneseno Chase, Director of YouthNet also shared the overview of the LaunchPad.

Awards

During the programme, four students were given the LaunchPad award; smartphones were awarded to Phuyeka from Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Aghunato and Seneh from GHSS Jalukie.

Meanwhile, laptops were awarded to Gopal Das from GHSS Mayangnokcha and Ngamlem from Mon GHSS.

Also read: Nagaland Advisor Hekani Jakhalu inspects industrial sites and projects