Dimapur, May 13 (MExN): The Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) held a seminar on entrepreneurship at IMC Hall, Dimapur on May 13, 2011. Dr. K.C. Nihoshe Yepthomi, Parliamentary Secretary, Industry and Commerce, was the chief guest.
Touching upon the theme of the seminar “Unleashing Entrepreneurship”, Dr. Nihoshe stated that entrepreneurship is the backbone of any state or country. However, he stated that Nagaland, as of yet does not have true entrepreneurship. He said that to combat the challenges of unemployment in Nagaland, the youngsters need to engage in entrepreneurship.
YAN conducts seminar on Unleashing Entrepreneurship
Pointing out that Nagaland receives ample schemes, he felt that the centre sanctions many packages and incentives to all states of India, where the best opportunity is given to Northeastern states of India, and out of which Nagaland is given primary focus. Citing example that people work towards securing subsidies but after getting it, the amount is not properly utilized, Dr. Nihoshe said that entrepreneurs do not think of multiplying the amount received, and ultimately repay the loan. “A trend observed in our youths is expecting huge success from the beginning. We also do not concentrate on one entrepreneurship but try to master many at one go,” he said. He therefore appealed to young entrepreneurs to learn to multiply their money. “But, learn to persist your business activity first and intent on exposing your products to the market,” he said.
Dr. Nihoshe also informed that the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati branch will soon be opened at Dimapur. He said that selected entrepreneurs who have already taken training from Guwahati are undergoing further training so that they will function as trainers. It was also mentioned that already two to three batches have undergone training.
Resource person, P. Leonard Aier, ex. IAF Pilot and principal of City Law College Dimapur also gave a brief assessment on why the culture of entrepreneurship has not dug deep into the roots of Naga society. He also said that a time for introspection has come on why Naga society has not been able to progress even although there is much potential.
He said that the present attitude of Nagas towards materialism has brought out class disparity and a culture of gross consumerism. “The funds have been cornered by a small group of self seekers,” he said. However, he felt that when we compare ourselves in percentage to the rest of the country, it is very negligible. Hence, he appealed the Naga society, “it is time for us to transform ourselves and become self reliant”.
Echoing a similar statement of the chief guest, he said “We Nagas, have become too dependant on funds from the center,” he said and added that if the funds stop, then ‘we would probably grab each others throats and there will be a civil war in the Naga society.’ He opined that Nagas are capable, in entrepreneurship or any field, but sincerity, commitment and work culture have to be cultivated. He also urged the youngsters to give back to the society so that “we’ll see good days in the future.”
A general consultative meet was held after the seminar.
Touching upon the theme of the seminar “Unleashing Entrepreneurship”, Dr. Nihoshe stated that entrepreneurship is the backbone of any state or country. However, he stated that Nagaland, as of yet does not have true entrepreneurship. He said that to combat the challenges of unemployment in Nagaland, the youngsters need to engage in entrepreneurship.
YAN conducts seminar on Unleashing Entrepreneurship
Pointing out that Nagaland receives ample schemes, he felt that the centre sanctions many packages and incentives to all states of India, where the best opportunity is given to Northeastern states of India, and out of which Nagaland is given primary focus. Citing example that people work towards securing subsidies but after getting it, the amount is not properly utilized, Dr. Nihoshe said that entrepreneurs do not think of multiplying the amount received, and ultimately repay the loan. “A trend observed in our youths is expecting huge success from the beginning. We also do not concentrate on one entrepreneurship but try to master many at one go,” he said. He therefore appealed to young entrepreneurs to learn to multiply their money. “But, learn to persist your business activity first and intent on exposing your products to the market,” he said.
Dr. Nihoshe also informed that the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati branch will soon be opened at Dimapur. He said that selected entrepreneurs who have already taken training from Guwahati are undergoing further training so that they will function as trainers. It was also mentioned that already two to three batches have undergone training.
Resource person, P. Leonard Aier, ex. IAF Pilot and principal of City Law College Dimapur also gave a brief assessment on why the culture of entrepreneurship has not dug deep into the roots of Naga society. He also said that a time for introspection has come on why Naga society has not been able to progress even although there is much potential.
He said that the present attitude of Nagas towards materialism has brought out class disparity and a culture of gross consumerism. “The funds have been cornered by a small group of self seekers,” he said. However, he felt that when we compare ourselves in percentage to the rest of the country, it is very negligible. Hence, he appealed the Naga society, “it is time for us to transform ourselves and become self reliant”.
Echoing a similar statement of the chief guest, he said “We Nagas, have become too dependant on funds from the center,” he said and added that if the funds stop, then ‘we would probably grab each others throats and there will be a civil war in the Naga society.’ He opined that Nagas are capable, in entrepreneurship or any field, but sincerity, commitment and work culture have to be cultivated. He also urged the youngsters to give back to the society so that “we’ll see good days in the future.”
A general consultative meet was held after the seminar.
“The time is ripe to think out of the box and be a trail blazer”
“The time is ripe to think out of the box and be a trail blazer,” said resource person Isaac Zhimomi, Equity Investment Consultant and Consultant at Monitoring Cell, Planning & Coordination. He said that entrepreneurship has become a fascinating concept for the people, and that there are opportunities for those who seek. He however said that it is of utmost important that one identify one’s area of interest, and be realistic in approach. He also said that both the government and the people must be in synchrony to foster and promote talents and skills to usher in greater trade and commerce.
A unique feature of Nagaland, he stated was that there are no landless Nagas in the society, and therefore youngsters must capitalize this resource as an asset. “We all have the option of going back to our village and till the land, but sadly no one is interested,” he said and added that as a society and community, we cannot become self reliant if our villages and country side is growth retarded.
Correlating on the seminar topic “Towards sustainable self reliance in production”, he said that Nagaland has been languishing for the past few decades in terms of industrial, agriculture and services production. He also pointed out that despite the state having 60% agriculture based economy, have not yielded expected production levels and sadly, we still depend on import of food grains and essential items. He stated that the government must formulate and articulate industrial and agricultural policy specific towards local needs, if it wishes its people towards sustainable self reliance in production.
Zhimomi also highlighted various inefficient and unproductive assets causing poor pace of development in the society and stated that in order to address the issues, the government must delineate a clear cut and viable pragmatic planning across various sectors of the states’ economy. “An integrated and holistic approach towards sustainable development is the need of the hour,” he said.
A unique feature of Nagaland, he stated was that there are no landless Nagas in the society, and therefore youngsters must capitalize this resource as an asset. “We all have the option of going back to our village and till the land, but sadly no one is interested,” he said and added that as a society and community, we cannot become self reliant if our villages and country side is growth retarded.
Correlating on the seminar topic “Towards sustainable self reliance in production”, he said that Nagaland has been languishing for the past few decades in terms of industrial, agriculture and services production. He also pointed out that despite the state having 60% agriculture based economy, have not yielded expected production levels and sadly, we still depend on import of food grains and essential items. He stated that the government must formulate and articulate industrial and agricultural policy specific towards local needs, if it wishes its people towards sustainable self reliance in production.
Zhimomi also highlighted various inefficient and unproductive assets causing poor pace of development in the society and stated that in order to address the issues, the government must delineate a clear cut and viable pragmatic planning across various sectors of the states’ economy. “An integrated and holistic approach towards sustainable development is the need of the hour,” he said.
