Zeluosielie Kehie
Chümoukedima
Our State is richly blessed with abundant natural resources and immense potential for livelihood and employment. There is tremendous scope in entrepreneurship, skilled trades, agriculture and allied sectors, tourism, handicrafts, and many other forms of sustainable livelihood. Yet most parents and students still focus and prefer primarily on conventional or traditional education. This is not to discourage formal education, which remains important for intellectual growth and nation-building. However, in today’s highly competitive world, degrees alone cannot guarantee employment or success. Academic qualifications without practical skills often leave many educated youths unemployed. Skills pay the bills.
Unfortunately, many young people hesitate to undergo skill training or engage in manual work. There is often a tendency to feel ashamed of so-called “menial” jobs, while depending mainly on government employment. However, government jobs are limited and cannot accommodate every degree holder. Therefore, our youths must step out of their comfort zones, explore opportunities, and become self-reliant through skill development and entrepreneurship. Simultaneously, the Government should extend sincere support and assistance to deserving and underprivileged candidates who are willing to venture into self-employment and skilled occupations through fair and transparent means, rather than merely through political favouritism or backing. This is not intended to criticize, denounce, or undermine any politician or public leader. In fact, many leaders are rendering commendable services for the welfare and development of society through various initiatives and public service efforts. Their dedication and contributions deserve appreciation and respect.
Today, our State is flooded with conventional degree holders, yet only a small percentage can secure government employment. Yet, our State offers enormous opportunities in diverse sectors such as sanitary and plumbing works, welding, electrical works, carpentry, automotive mechanics, mobile phone repairing, shoe repairing, saloon and beauty care, food processing, baking, cooking, jam and pickle making, fashion designing, hospitality, nursing, pharmacy, waste management, tourism, tailoring, bamboo and natural fibre handicrafts, dry flower making, masonry, painting, floriculture, soap and candle making, paper bag making, electronics repair, LPG and refrigeration servicing, gardening and nursery raising, sales and marketing, poultry, piggery, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, vermicomposting, solar panel installation, veterinary assistance, and many more.
Sadly, most of these sectors are presently occupied and dominated by non-local workers. This is not a criticism against them, rather, a practical reality that while many outsiders are striving hard, learning skills, and earning their livelihood in our State, many of our own youths remain idle and continue to complain about unemployment. If outsiders can earn their livelihood from our State, our own people can do the same, provided we possess necessary skills. Many non-local workers begin as apprentices, learning skills patiently without immediate financial gain. In contrast, many local youths expect instant financial returns and reluctant to undertake manual work or skill training because of social stigma, shame and lack of interest. Some depend entirely on their parents, spend money carelessly, and fail to think seriously about future risks and challenges. We must understand the dignity of labour. Every honest profession-whether white-collar or blue-collar-deserves equal respect and dignity.
There is also a practical concern regarding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP). While ILP must be implemented sincerely to protect indigenous interests and identity, we must also ensure that our youths acquire adequate technical and vocational skills. If strict restrictions are imposed while our local population lacks sufficient skilled manpower, we may face shortages of mechanics, technicians, and skilled workers for our daily needs. This observation neither supports illegal immigration nor advocates weak implementation of ILP. Rather, it highlights the urgent need for our own youths to become skilled and self-sufficient so that our State can function independently.
Another concerning issue is the growing culture of blame. Parents often complain that they spent heavily on their children’s education, yet their children remain unemployed, and they blame corruption or lack of opportunities. On the other hand, some children blame their parents for lacking political influence, connections, or educational background. Such blame games solve nothing. Parents should continue supporting and guiding their children even after graduation by encouraging them to acquire skills, start small ventures, or become self-employed. Likewise, children must also learn responsibility, discipline, financial management, and proper planning. Whatever investment is made-whether by parents or children-should be utilized wisely, legally, and judiciously for productive purposes.
The need of the hour is not merely earning degrees, but more skilled, hardworking, innovative, and self-reliant youths. Skill development is not inferior to formal education; rather, it complements education and strengthens employability. It is still not too late for our young Naga brothers and sisters to learn skills in the above mentioned sectors. There are various training centres within our own State that provide professional and skill-based courses. Our youths should explore opportunities, step out of their comfort zones, and acquire practical skills for sustainable livelihood and self-reliance. Degree alone is not enough to survive in this competitive world. One must learn to respect the dignity of labour, and value every honest profession equally.
For instance, we sometimes undervalue our own people while overvaluing the satisfaction of bargaining. If a Naga charges Rs 500 for a job, we often call it expensive. But if someone else other than local charges Rs 800 and later agrees to Rs 500 for the same work, we feel satisfied, thinking we got a good deal. The amount remains the same, but the mindset differs. This mentality encourages outsiders to understand our psychology better than we understand ourselves. Instead of blaming non-locals alone, we should also learn to respect, value, and support honest work done by our own people. Skill, quality, and dignity should be valued equally, whether the worker is Naga or non-local. This mindset must change if we truly want our youths to grow economically and become self-reliant. Supporting local skills and labour is not charity; it is an investment in our own society and future.
Let us encourage our youth to embrace skill development, become self-reliant and build a better, stronger and more secure future for our society.
