DIMAPUR, JANUARY 12 (MExN): In a state where government jobs have reached saturation point, educated Naga unemployed youths are turning to vocational and short technical courses to eke out a living through modest vocations and careers.
And for youths from rural areas and villages of northeastern state Nagaland, AIDA (Agency for Integrated Development Association), the official development wing of the Salesian Province of Dimapur established in 1985, has given them the chance to become economically independent.
In 2010, AIDA introduced ‘Don Bosco Tech’, an employment oriented skill development training for rural youths in Nagaland, a special project under Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY).
The first batch of 64 students received 3-month intensive training in housekeeping and spa. “Most of the first batch trainees got placement outside the North East, including ten of them in Taj Hotel group,” said assistant director, AIDA, Br. Sunny Joseph. The second batch of students numbering 68 (boys and girls) are presently undergoing training in food & beverage and spa.
At the ‘Batch inauguration’ -cum-parents meeting of the second batch held Thursday (Jan 12) at AIDA complex, Don Bosco Provincial House, Dimapur, the trainees shared their experiences of the training and their stay at AIDA with the parents.
Vice chairman of GB’s Union Dimapur, Chingkhiulung Gonmei, who was the chief guest of the batch inauguration program
e, acknowledged the social services rendered by AIDA, especially to the rural and marginalized populace. Exhorting the trainees to be hardworking and sincere, Gonmei said that in order to eat one has also to work. “Most Nagas are not ashamed of eating but are ashamed to work,” he said. Urging the youths to learn to be self reliant and not to depend too much on their parents, Gonmei also advised the youths to cultivate the habit of saving.
Earlier, executive director, AIDA, Fr. Bimal Lakra, in his address said that the activities undertaken by AIDA are inspired by the life, works and teachings of Don Bosco, especially his love and concern for the youths. Fr. Lakra also exhorted the trainees that the road to success lay only through “hard work.”
AIDA is committed to the integral development of the weaker and marginalised sections of society and the association collaborates directly with around 19,000 households spanning over 370 villages in upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. Its chief tool in socio-economic-development is over 375 Self-Help Groups (SHG).
