Kohima, Jun 27 (MExN): The Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) conducted capacity building training for 54 youths from the area during the last two months, with a view to “empower the underprivileged youth towards entrepreneurship and self-employability among the backward districts of Nagaland," which culminated on June 27.
A press release issued by DUDA stated that among the trainees, 30 youths underwent hands-on training on repair and maintenance of power supply, inverter and UPS conducted by National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Kohima while 24 females were trained on culinary skills including baking, confectioneries, dessert making and cooking skills by Kohima Exotic School of Cooking.
Addressing the valedictory function held at NIELIT Kohima on June 27; Advisor for DUDA, N Bonkhao Konyak said that according to 2011 Census, 52.7 percent of the workforce in Nagaland is engaged in Agricultural Sector and 47.3 percent in secondary and tertiary Sectors. Konyak also pointed that 81.1% of the workforce in Eastern Nagaland is engaged in Agricultural Sector while only 18.9% in Secondary and Tertiary Sectors. “With such glaring critical gaps, it is important to restructure the livelihood activities with various skill based trainings and ensure that the unemployed youths are engaged in gainful employment,” he stated, further mentioning that “unemployment is not only an area of concern in Nagaland but it is also a challenging issue in India, also stating that “with the State Government reaching its saturation point in the employment sector, the only window of opportunity is to boost the entrepreneurial activities and streamline the job roles according to the training and skill one has received through capacity building programmes,” and towards this objective, “the Department initiated the two training programme,” he mentioned, while expressing hope that this initiative will go a long way in providing livelihood solution.
Bonkhao also stated that in line with the Government of India policy on IT for masses under the Digital India and manpower development plan scheme the Department in collaboration with NIELIT Kohima is empowering the youths and women of Eastern Nagaland through Information and Communication Technology skill training. “The Department in partnership with NIELIT has set up four computer Centres in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire district headquarters with all the latest equipment and teaching facilities,” he added also informing that the target of this programme was to train 1280 youths of Eastern Nagaland but more than 1407 youths have been trained.
It is very rare to see government programmes surpassing the target and achieving beyond its goals and objectives, he said adding that this shows the learning capability and enthusiasm of the unemployed youths, also congratulating all the trainees, he encouraged them “to go back and open up your small units and be an inspiration to others while making an earning with the certificate, tools and equipment along with the seed money provided by the department,” further cautioning them that the Department would be closely monitoring their activities to ensure that the training programme has been a contributor to elevating the socio-economic condition of the eastern Nagaland.
The Advisor also e-Notice android mobile app created by NIELIT Kohima. Delivering short speech, Dean of Kohima Exotic School of Cooking, Kevitsu Doze said that “in this competitive era holding educational degrees alone is not enough as the employability level is low. He was of the view that the gap skill development is the need of the hour as it has vast scope even for self employment.” On the occasion, Director of NIELIT Kohima, Lanuwabang introduced the launching of e-Notice android mobile app which would help to reduce use of paper. He informed that created by NIELIT Kohima, the app would be passed on to all the government departments.
