Joint Secretary, Labour & ESDE, Phuleshe K Yepthomi with officials and winners of the India Skills Nagaland Competition 2025 which concluded on December 10. (DIPR Photo)
Training bootcamps next for winners
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 10 (MExN): The India Skills Nagaland Competition 2025 concluded with a prize distribution and closing ceremony on Thursday at the Directorate of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (ESDE), Kohima.
Phuleshe K Yepthomi, Joint Secretary, Labour & ESDE, Government of Nagaland, lauded the department for organizing the event and urged continuation of such initiatives annually to strengthen the state’s skill ecosystem. He emphasized the need to explore more trades and expand skill categories to provide wider opportunities for youth to showcase and build their talents.
“Our young people are gifted in many fields. With the right opportunities, their talent can become their strength,” Yepthomi said. He added that participating in the competition itself demonstrated confidence and a willingness to grow, noting, “Everyone has talent, but without practice and training, it remains undeveloped.”
Menguzelie Suohu, APO, presented an overview of the competition, stating that Nagaland had completed its state-level selections with 22 candidates advancing to the next stage. The state participated in four skill categories: Restaurant Service, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design Technology, and Free Skills.
The Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship collaborated with academic partners including SIHM Dimapur, Government Polytechnic Kohima, Government ITI Kohima, and NEILIT Kohima to support the competition.
A total of 57 candidates registered, with 22 taking part in the state-level event. Selected candidates will undergo intensive boot camps with expert mentoring ahead of the Regional Competition scheduled in Goa in early 2026. Successful candidates will move on to the National Skill Competition in May 2026 and potentially to the World Skills Competition in Shanghai, China, in September 2026. All expenses for training, travel, and participation will be borne by the government.
Ruth Jamir, Jury member from State Institute of Hotel Management, encouraged youth participation in skill development programmes, stating such platforms enable learning, growth, and discovering potential beyond government job opportunities.
In the Restaurant Service category, first prize went to Imtisangla Kangshou (SIHM Dimapur), while Ngvuhilo Kent (SIHM Dimapur) and Alo Zhimo (Government Higher Secondary School, Purana Bazar, Dimapur) secured second and third places respectively. Winners in Fashion Technology included Vimeneno Phira (International University Nagaland), Tonikali Yeptho (Government ITI), and Keneilhoukhono Meru (Government Polytechnic Kohima).
Savio Visa, Director, ESDE, in his concluding remarks, appreciated the participants, jury members, officials, and technical teams for the successful conduct of India Skills Nagaland 2025.
