James Kikon: Are you working outside Nagaland? Are you satisfied living in the cities (and your work) or want go back (Like I have heard from most of us)? Could you give some reasons for your choice? Opinions?
Keneilhouzo Sekhose: I had the opportunity to work with a government department for a little more than two years, and I have to say it was very disappointing. Even though I enjoyed my work and I knew I could do things for my people, the system wasn't just right to work. With all the political interferences, nepotism and backdoor appointments daily in your sight and just been helpless was too much to take. That was when I finally told myself whether to stay and accept the system or just simply move away! I moved out of Nagaland 3 years ago and m happy about my decision. To work with transparent, unbiased and broad minded people even if it is not as well paying as other job is the best thing. Because at the end of the day what really matters is that you can sleep with a peaceful mind. And to add to that you get access to all modern amenities and also exposure to different cultures. But as James Kikon has mention the nostalgic call of going back home is always there and of course Home is where the Heart is.
Kvulo Lorin: No place like home. I've been studying and working outside longer than I have been in Nagaland and I actually didn't want to return back .However, after staying for a year in Nagaland wild horses won't be able to drag me out(unless it's in St.Tropez or some Mediterranean heaven). Nagaland grows on you the longer you stay with its easy relaxed pace, and the strong community and family bonding. Last time I went out I couldn't wait to return in-spite of the movies, malls, KFC; it still doesn't beat axone and local gawri(Pork). A positive I feel about life outside was, you never really think along tribal lines and a Naga is a Naga. You may not have so many family members so friendships take a priority and you don't feel the clan, village and tribal vibes so bluntly. If you worked 9-12 hours outside in an MNC almost any job here will feel like a 365 day vacation. Our lazy work ethics in Nagaland can really be discouraging. Most of the working Nagas outside are so hard working and top performers even if they weren't the brightest academically. However, In Nagaland, I'm not sure what happened to the Nagas here. I think the government service work ethics have taken over and 3 hours in office is equivalent to a full days work. Those outside should come back and bring their work ethics along with them.
Molona Wati Longchar: For me it doesn’t matter “Where you work” – Nagaland or somewhere else but “How you work”. That you diligently do your work. Small or big! I have been working in Delhi for the past 9 years and these are some of my reasons of working and preferring to work outside of Nagaland:
1) Work culture in Nagaland is very lacking. I was home for a six-month sabbatical and was trying to do a few projects but things move so slowly and there is no time-line. So I am back in Delhi.
2) Less of professionalism/accountability and everything is taken too PERSONALLY. I once asked someone in Nagaland to rewrite something and the next thing I know, I get a reply saying, “Don’t think that you are better than me.” Sigh!
3) Too much dependence and emphasis on Govt. jobs. There is nothing wrong with that the Govt. jobs but my problem is when people think that is the only "option” especially when we have a pool talented and smart people.
4) Complacency especially with people with Govt. jobs. I remember talking to an “uncle” and his reason for me to come back and work in Nagaland was, “You won’t have to work such long hours and so hard and still get paid. In fact, a lot of people don’t even go to office.”
5) Too much of “crab mentality” where people are always trying to pull others down. I wish more people would just be happy for other people’s success.
6) So in the mean time, I will work here in Delhi, gain experience, build a network, meet new people, get exposure, expose people to Nagaland, learn new things, relearn old things, represent the Nagas in a good light. And in the near future, I will come back to Nagaland and give back and help build my homeland.
Vikas Sharma: I am not a naga but i do back many of the above views. Home is home and if home is as beautiful and as colourful as Nagaland who would want to be anywhere else. Never the less every Naga(new generation) should work outside Nagaland to gain some experience and then eventually go back and help the Naga society.
Yenn Walling: Growing up my notion about work was limited to the corners of an office where people dress up (some not) and go to do their thing, then earnestly wait for their salaries to meet necessities. I thought "If i don’t make it to one of those desks when I grow up and don't own an NLG car, my career would practically be doomed and have no respect." So basically, it was more of a stress to think about jobs rather than a passion. With time, getting more exposure (outside Nagaland) to the work culture and ethics , the way people put dedication in pursuing and achieving the career they want, regardless of what field it maybe, made me realize having a job and working is actually a fun thing and not just a 'necessity'. I believe as much as some of us are fortunate to be introduced to exposure outside State, there are some back Home who are not even aware of the 'possibilities' besides what's offered in our State. And it’s not because of ignorance, but because no one has told them yet. It should be taught in schools, at home and talked about openly the indefinite choices we have. Instead of manipulating and structuring a person's career, focus should be more on providing resources which can help in nurturing his/her talents. Then the choice rests on the individual, whether he/she wants to work out/within State.
Being a Government servant is not the ultimate. Like I know this guy who is so creative, give him anything and he'd turn it into some kind of beautiful art. But well, some wise crack told him "How are u going to bring food to the table with that!? Men are supposed to do hard work, become an officer, support wife and family!" (Typical mentality I guess?) And the growing pressure made him take up a job as a 'guard' , and today he sits somewhere wasting his talent away devoting time to his other 'job'. Point is, at the end of the day, no matter where we work and what kind of job we do, we all slog, we all sweat and tire. So why not look out for the possibilities and contribute in something which not only takes the best years from us, but also gives us back the best years of experience.
K Nagi: I have studied and worked outside but didn’t invest required amount of time to garner enough knowledge to help the Nagas. I’m back home now and working for govt for 3 years. There are many future Naga leaders in the above list, who are doing quite well outside Nagaland and even in Nagaland, who really inspires me and many Nagas. Working outside Nagaland was for me a time of fun and merriment with not much hassles/tension at work though I struggled to accomplish my dream in a reputed MNC which never happened unfortunately. I believe social and family responsibilities play a huge role in Nagaland and it did have its toll on me and half of my time was devoted to it like attending various community meetings, running errands, swinging from one end to the other of various departments' hierarchical setup, travelling to various parts of remote Nagaland, etc At the end of the day am grateful that it taught me much more about our history and culture and social aspects which I had been ignorant in the past. Coming back home was where I com paratively became a little more serious about my career and future. As for the pay, my former colleagues working outside are now earning in a month as much as I earn in a year, which at many times tempts me to try my luck outside again but that would be a huge risk now and logically is not feasible for me anymore. But for IT guys, I foresee tremendous opportunity with the proposed Nagaland IT Park in the pipeline. I plan to procure a 5x5 feet plot of land in the IT Park to open an IT Paan Shop and sell 120,160,350 & 650 Mbps Paans. Interested people with sound know-how of making paan are invited to partner with me to form a chain of Paan Shops in the IT Park.
Keneilhouzo Sekhose: I had the opportunity to work with a government department for a little more than two years, and I have to say it was very disappointing. Even though I enjoyed my work and I knew I could do things for my people, the system wasn't just right to work. With all the political interferences, nepotism and backdoor appointments daily in your sight and just been helpless was too much to take. That was when I finally told myself whether to stay and accept the system or just simply move away! I moved out of Nagaland 3 years ago and m happy about my decision. To work with transparent, unbiased and broad minded people even if it is not as well paying as other job is the best thing. Because at the end of the day what really matters is that you can sleep with a peaceful mind. And to add to that you get access to all modern amenities and also exposure to different cultures. But as James Kikon has mention the nostalgic call of going back home is always there and of course Home is where the Heart is.
Kvulo Lorin: No place like home. I've been studying and working outside longer than I have been in Nagaland and I actually didn't want to return back .However, after staying for a year in Nagaland wild horses won't be able to drag me out(unless it's in St.Tropez or some Mediterranean heaven). Nagaland grows on you the longer you stay with its easy relaxed pace, and the strong community and family bonding. Last time I went out I couldn't wait to return in-spite of the movies, malls, KFC; it still doesn't beat axone and local gawri(Pork). A positive I feel about life outside was, you never really think along tribal lines and a Naga is a Naga. You may not have so many family members so friendships take a priority and you don't feel the clan, village and tribal vibes so bluntly. If you worked 9-12 hours outside in an MNC almost any job here will feel like a 365 day vacation. Our lazy work ethics in Nagaland can really be discouraging. Most of the working Nagas outside are so hard working and top performers even if they weren't the brightest academically. However, In Nagaland, I'm not sure what happened to the Nagas here. I think the government service work ethics have taken over and 3 hours in office is equivalent to a full days work. Those outside should come back and bring their work ethics along with them.
Molona Wati Longchar: For me it doesn’t matter “Where you work” – Nagaland or somewhere else but “How you work”. That you diligently do your work. Small or big! I have been working in Delhi for the past 9 years and these are some of my reasons of working and preferring to work outside of Nagaland:
1) Work culture in Nagaland is very lacking. I was home for a six-month sabbatical and was trying to do a few projects but things move so slowly and there is no time-line. So I am back in Delhi.
2) Less of professionalism/accountability and everything is taken too PERSONALLY. I once asked someone in Nagaland to rewrite something and the next thing I know, I get a reply saying, “Don’t think that you are better than me.” Sigh!
3) Too much dependence and emphasis on Govt. jobs. There is nothing wrong with that the Govt. jobs but my problem is when people think that is the only "option” especially when we have a pool talented and smart people.
4) Complacency especially with people with Govt. jobs. I remember talking to an “uncle” and his reason for me to come back and work in Nagaland was, “You won’t have to work such long hours and so hard and still get paid. In fact, a lot of people don’t even go to office.”
5) Too much of “crab mentality” where people are always trying to pull others down. I wish more people would just be happy for other people’s success.
6) So in the mean time, I will work here in Delhi, gain experience, build a network, meet new people, get exposure, expose people to Nagaland, learn new things, relearn old things, represent the Nagas in a good light. And in the near future, I will come back to Nagaland and give back and help build my homeland.
Vikas Sharma: I am not a naga but i do back many of the above views. Home is home and if home is as beautiful and as colourful as Nagaland who would want to be anywhere else. Never the less every Naga(new generation) should work outside Nagaland to gain some experience and then eventually go back and help the Naga society.
Yenn Walling: Growing up my notion about work was limited to the corners of an office where people dress up (some not) and go to do their thing, then earnestly wait for their salaries to meet necessities. I thought "If i don’t make it to one of those desks when I grow up and don't own an NLG car, my career would practically be doomed and have no respect." So basically, it was more of a stress to think about jobs rather than a passion. With time, getting more exposure (outside Nagaland) to the work culture and ethics , the way people put dedication in pursuing and achieving the career they want, regardless of what field it maybe, made me realize having a job and working is actually a fun thing and not just a 'necessity'. I believe as much as some of us are fortunate to be introduced to exposure outside State, there are some back Home who are not even aware of the 'possibilities' besides what's offered in our State. And it’s not because of ignorance, but because no one has told them yet. It should be taught in schools, at home and talked about openly the indefinite choices we have. Instead of manipulating and structuring a person's career, focus should be more on providing resources which can help in nurturing his/her talents. Then the choice rests on the individual, whether he/she wants to work out/within State.
Being a Government servant is not the ultimate. Like I know this guy who is so creative, give him anything and he'd turn it into some kind of beautiful art. But well, some wise crack told him "How are u going to bring food to the table with that!? Men are supposed to do hard work, become an officer, support wife and family!" (Typical mentality I guess?) And the growing pressure made him take up a job as a 'guard' , and today he sits somewhere wasting his talent away devoting time to his other 'job'. Point is, at the end of the day, no matter where we work and what kind of job we do, we all slog, we all sweat and tire. So why not look out for the possibilities and contribute in something which not only takes the best years from us, but also gives us back the best years of experience.
K Nagi: I have studied and worked outside but didn’t invest required amount of time to garner enough knowledge to help the Nagas. I’m back home now and working for govt for 3 years. There are many future Naga leaders in the above list, who are doing quite well outside Nagaland and even in Nagaland, who really inspires me and many Nagas. Working outside Nagaland was for me a time of fun and merriment with not much hassles/tension at work though I struggled to accomplish my dream in a reputed MNC which never happened unfortunately. I believe social and family responsibilities play a huge role in Nagaland and it did have its toll on me and half of my time was devoted to it like attending various community meetings, running errands, swinging from one end to the other of various departments' hierarchical setup, travelling to various parts of remote Nagaland, etc At the end of the day am grateful that it taught me much more about our history and culture and social aspects which I had been ignorant in the past. Coming back home was where I com paratively became a little more serious about my career and future. As for the pay, my former colleagues working outside are now earning in a month as much as I earn in a year, which at many times tempts me to try my luck outside again but that would be a huge risk now and logically is not feasible for me anymore. But for IT guys, I foresee tremendous opportunity with the proposed Nagaland IT Park in the pipeline. I plan to procure a 5x5 feet plot of land in the IT Park to open an IT Paan Shop and sell 120,160,350 & 650 Mbps Paans. Interested people with sound know-how of making paan are invited to partner with me to form a chain of Paan Shops in the IT Park.
