Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | May 29
Being an electrician may not be the most glamorous career or the first choice that a student would pick for a livelihood, but the indispensable part that electricians play in almost every aspect of our lives is undeniable. Even with risks and dangers that come along with this profession, Pove Lohe is one licensed electrician who has committed himself to improve the life conditions of people by lighting up homes.
Hailing from Sakraba village under Phek district, he is a Class 12 dropout, who resolved to do something with his life despite this one time failure. The 28-year old completed his high school in the village prior to pursuing his higher secondary in Pfutsero College. He came to Kohima in the year 201 during which, his energy was also diverted to electricity.
“I remember earning a sum of Rs. 150 when I first began”, he enlightens. He was also trained in the field for a period of 2 months. During this time, he along with others engaged themselves in wiring the Urban Development Headquarter in Kohima. He was further part of the team who were instrumental in wiring the Sumi Church in Kohima. “After 3 years of such experiences, I started working on my own”, he expresses. Since 2013, he has been working as an ‘independent electrician’ as he would call it.
The year 2013 is also significant for him as he got his license that year after appearing for a practical and an oral exam at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Kohima. Over the years, he has lighted over 70 homes and is keen on continuing in the field with the same zest and vigour.
However one of the concerns he shares is the deduction of percentage by the Power department. ‘A 20% deduction is made on non-locals without license and also on us with license, even if we earn it individually”, he states while impressing upon that it is not fair.
Pove Lohe has always wanted to be in business and although he insists that he is yet to succeed, he is definitely getting there. In the meantime, he feels that there are young Nagas who are also interested in becoming electricians, but observed that most of them expect to earn big money overnight. “This attitude has to change”, he expresses with concern while indicating that everybody has to learn and grow and eventually get to the top.
A youth who firmly believes that there is no end to learning, he continues to learn both with experience and reading. “I read about it online whenever I get the time and update myself on the techniques of electricity”, he puts across. Currently, he is engaged in putting up solar street lights in the wards and colonies in Kohima.
*Year of Construction Workers (YOCW) is a joint program of the Government of Nagaland in partnership with YouthNet, Zynorique and the Department of Labour & Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
