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OKD Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati, in collaboration with the English and Sociology departments of Sazolie College, Jotsoma, organised workshop on ‘Understanding minority ethnic communities of Nagaland: Problems and development deficits’ at the college premises on February 4.
An update from the college stated that Dr. Saswati Choudhury, director of OKD, moderated the workshop in which representatives from Kuki, Tikhir, Yimkhiung and Zeliang made short presentations on the problems and challenges faced by their community.
It stated that lack of proper infrastructure in schools, poor road conditions and poor medical facilities seemed to be the common challenges among those tribes as highlighted by the representatives.
It added that the problem of political representative was highlighted by both the representatives of Kuki and Tikhir community. Among the challenges faced by the Tikhir community, unemployment was stated as a major issue. The representative also pointed out that employment rate was only 3-4 % in governmental sectors. Another point which the representative highlighted was the emerging problem of easy availability of drugs and alcohol.
The representative from Yimkhiung community spoke about the abuse of children as domestic workers.
The representative from Zeliang community stated that social problems such as patriarchal dominance, backwardness in education and diversity in dialect were issues faced by the community. Among the suggestions provided by the representative from Zeliang community for improving the social and economic conditions included organising cultural exchange and career guidance programmes, proper facilities and infrastructure, good road connectivity for promoting agricultural products, district level festivals to promote local products, promoting places of historical importance to attract tourists.
The college’s vice principal, Waloniba Jamir, delivered the welcome address and Imlisenla, semester VI student, presented a song. Aphrenuo Pienyu, head of Sociology department, chaired the programme and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Veralϋ Vero, assistant professor of English department.