Start Up Nagaland: Challenges and opportunities

ZOOMMAX 2016 - ‘Look Beyond, Renova

Morung Express News

Kohima | November 9  

A panel discussion was held on the topic ‘Start Up Nagaland: Challenges and Opportunities’ at the ongoing fest ZOOMMAX of the School of Management Studies under Nagaland University. Under the theme ‘Look Beyond, Renovate Present’, the School of Management Studies will be holding the three day event from November 8 to 10.  

The panelists for the discussion were Co-founder of Indihut Yanpvuo Kikon, Naro Ki proprietor Watila Longkumer, John Meyase from YouthNet and NEDFI Branch Manager K Jainthailung while the moderator was Entrepreneur Neingulie Nakhro.  

“Start up is more than opening a website or launching apps, you just need to have solutions to problems,” said Yanpvuo Kikon while discussing the challenges and opportunities of Start Ups in Nagaland citing successful start ups in North East region specifically in the tourism sector.  

“Entrepreneurship is a new concept here in our State. For economy to come up it is a big responsibility of the entrepreneurs to generate income and for business to come up,” said Jainthailung who highlighted the activities and schemes of NEDFI which is an autonomous financial institution under the ministry of DoNER. Entrepreneurship being an income generating activity, Jainthulung reminded the students on the important questions they need to ponder on while initiating a Start Up such as – Will it generate income? Will it be marketable? Will you be able to sustain? Who are the competitors?  

In Nagaland, Tourism has great potentials, mentioned John Meyase from YouthNet who encouraged the students to find innovative ideas, and start small business plans in the area of tourism.  

For any Start up, networking is very important which was highlighted by Kikon who encouraged the students to muster confidence and further humored, “You should be a bit shameless and be oversmart but with some boundaries.”  

Start Ups, very loosely translated is nothing but business, said Nakhro, and in today’s world, things are so different and Start up is the future but it has a lot of challenges.  

Watila Longkumer shared her story of starting Naro Ki, one of the few florists in Nagaland, where she experienced numerous challenges ranging from financial problems to extortion. “Business is not easy and we Nagas are very impatient. I started with the concept that I needed to help our local farmers.” said Longkumer who admitted that business also require huge losses of capital in the beginning, however the big lesson is not to give up but continue to pursue it. Longkumer, further stressed on the importance of creativity, money management and linking with the local entrepreneurs.  

Two major challenges in Naga society in starting any venture are dignity of labour and changing mindsets, which was raised by a student. In order to change mindsets and develop dignity of labour, Watila asserted, “We have to take the step. Do not listen to the criticisms. Just do what you need to do. There is no harm in dignity of labour.”  

Meanwhile Nakhro admitted that to be a successful entrepreneur one has to know how to do everything. “You’ve got to break yourself down to such an extent that you are able to do everything before you start what you need to do,” said Nakhro.  

The need for role models in Naga society was pointed out by Kikon who viewed that entrepreneurship has changed the social status and prestige in Nagaland which was earlier linked with government jobs. “Entrepreneurship is emerging and creating an equilibrium,” said Kikon.  

What are the challenges and problems faced by women entrepreneurs? asked a student to which Watila asked back, “Why categorize yourself as a woman entrepreneur?” and further explained that there is no differentiation when it comes to business. Women are more efficient, more reliable and definitely honest and sincere, added Neingulie Nakhro.  

In conclusion, Watila Longkumer encouraged the young students to see the opportunity in the problems they will face in their Start Ups. Jainthailung further said, “Money is a very important part of business but over all determination, and ‘will’ are the most important. Nurture your ideas.” te Present’  

The first prize for the Biz Quiz was won by Pewsuthong K. Yim and Botoka Chophi from Yehmi Memorial college and the second prize won by Imtiong Jamir and Kajingai Kamei from Model Christian College. In the Business Plan contest, Aoyanger Jamir, Bijoy Deb and Sheniehu Thuluo from Oriental College bagged the first position while Bijay Sarkar, Nzamhingbe and Giaiguanglung from City College won the second position.    

Debate

1st Prize- Vinoka Zhimo, Modern College 2nd Prize- Luntsuba Yimchunger, Japfu Christian College    

Choir

Winner –Nagaland University, Psychology Department    

Photography

Winner- Dziesevizo Rutsa, Oriental College    

Essay

1st Prize- Vipedetuo Dziivichii, Oriental college 2nd Prize- Enaka Zhimomi, Japfii Christian College    

Solo

1st Prize- Seyievinuo Chuzho, NU History Department 2nd Prize- Wonchamo, Dimapur Govt. College    

Folk song

Winner- Japfu Christian College