Hats off to the Morung Express for bold initiative in news reporting. We live in a time when frustration and despair loomed large on the minds of the people especially the young ones, due to widespread alleged corruption, nepotism, manipulation and abused of power by the people at the helm of the government, as reported in your paper. Yet you dared to venture and bring to light the extra-ordinary achievements of the Naga individuals, who in the face of odds and difficulties displayed grit, hard work and perseverance in attaining success. They inspire hope, vision and promise of the future to the readers. I would say your efforts are, without doubt, brilliantly stimulating, educative and unbiased. Keep it up.
On 4th August 2006, your paper brought out a full page success story of Mr.L. Dikho Mao, whom you described as ‘visionary leader’ presently the Managing Director of Exotic Juices Limited and also member of National Horticulture Board, New Delhi. It was an interesting read. A fellow who started from nowhere, got registered society and now owner of an Agro-based industry, a registered company. After successfully installing plant machinery imported from Italy at remote hilly terrain of Mao, the first of its kind in the land of the Nagas, which has the capacity to process two tonnes of passion fruit per hour, he entered into MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with SBT for extending loan to passion fruit farmers. As of now 700 farmers in Senapati district alone covering about 800 acres, have been financed by SBI for cultivation of passion fruit. Also 600 farmers in Peren, 500 in Phek and 300 in Kohima districts have darned to avail loan for the same purpose. He has entered into MOLT with the United Bank of India for financing 500 farmers sponsored by the company under National Horticulture Board as subsidy linked scheme Having instilled faith and confidence, the nationalized Banks are now willingly ready to extend finances. Yes you have rightly said the case of Dikho as “epitome of true entrepreneurship”, enabling thereby, thousands of farmers and educated unemployed to engage in gainful self employment. Isn’t this fantastic?
Then on 10th Aug. ‘06, the Morung Express published on its frontpage, with colourful picture yet another success story of Mr. Neichute Doulo, founder and coordinator Entrepreneurs’ Associates, who has carved out a niche in Nagaland by launching micro-finance scheme for short term loan at nominal rate of interest to deserving and potential entrepreneurs. So far his organization has generated more than 550 meaningful employments to school drop out and educated unemployed youth. These are amazing success stories of lone individuals who exercise positive influence on the people and Naga society at large. They are the first generation successful Naga Entrepreneurs. Who are risk takers and who ventured beyond conventional boundaries and who become job-givers to the Nagas.
We can recall the words of our Chief Minister, who last year on 17th Aug ‘05 announced a ban to be imposed on creation of new posts as major part of the state resources was being drained out owing to salary payment of government employees. This year while inaugurating a “One day Interface” organized by the Entrepreneurs’ Associates (8 August) the CM stated “there has been a visible change in the way young Nagas have approached and taken up entrepreneurship and the number of employment opportunities generated outside the government sector. Many young people has started taking up micro enterprises. Let us support and encourage them so that they become the drivers of economic growth of the state.” How true it is! The effects of such entrepreneurs (read Dikho & Neichute, Aug.4th & 10th) from that of small setup become over a period of time a dynamic enterprise and industry, thereby accelerating the process of economic growth. Surly enterprises are the engines of economic growth. Some years back, in his speech to the students of management, Rahul Bajaj, a reknown industrialist, who is still considered to be the captain of Indian industry and the only second Indian to receive Harward Business School Alumni Achievement Award and whose all time favourite Hindi movie is SHOLAY remarked, “If we could have one entrepreneur in every family India’s economy will sky rocked and India could take a rightful place as economic super nation, because entrepreneurs create jobs, goods, services and wealth.”
Today one of the biggest problems faced by the youths is unemployment. The only solution to this ever increasing problem lies in entrepreneurship and Self employment. Responsible people in the government and heads of educational institutions should lose no time in recognizing this truth. The time is ripe for introducing entrepreneurship and vocational job oriented courses in the educational programme with all seriousness.
In these breathtaking changes that are taking place with education fast turning global, school and college curriculum has to be framed or designed with inputs from industries and corporate houses with the aim of gainful future employment of the students, in other words re¬orienting the curriculum with utmost concern for placement and employment of the students.
Hence link and partnership with industries and private firms should be established. I believe the day is not probably far when entrepreneurship will be a major subject in liberal colleges and institutions whether we like it or not.
The role of media (Morung Express) in garnering information, creating public awareness and generating interest in the field of entrepreneurship is highly appreciated.
Amarson Sankhil, Faculty incharge
Career Guidance & Entrepreneurship Cell
Patkai Christian College (Autonomous)
