The current state of unemployment in Nagaland is in a crestfallen state. It is a ticking time bomb that is going to explode in the next 10-15 years given the unemployment rate of growth and leaves us all befuddled with an insurmountable task of coming to a solution. What are the alternatives and how can we combat the dependence on government jobs as the only option?

Unemployed Naga Youths: Where can we start?

”Where there is a will there is a way”

The most serious problem that Nagaland is currently facing is unemployment. Theoretically, unemployment is a situation where a person of a certain age group is able and willing to work, but is out of work because of lack of opportunities, and this is exactly what is happening in Nagaland. If we talk or discuss about an unemployed person there is always a big question mark in our mind. Unemployment is a serious issue in Nagaland and whenever we hear about unemployment the first and foremost thing that comes to our mind is the government. We blame them without knowing the true fact but if we are to look deeper it is not about government or any other external agency but to the greater extent it is us to be blamed. It may also be noted that Nagaland is a state having a weak industrial sector and an underdeveloped agriculture where bulk of the educated population depends on the service sector. We can see that the educational institutions in Nagaland are continuously producing educated youths but employment opportunities are limited in relation to supply of labour. There is no balance between the supply of workers and the demand for their services. Thus, open unemployment occurs because able and willing educated persons are in search of work, but there is no work for them and they remain unemployed.

If we see the current scenario it may be observed that the educated and literate people usually want to go for a government job or search for a handsomely paid profession as soon as they complete their studies. Instead of humbling themselves at first, however when they are unable to find what he or she is actually searching for, they start complaining that the job is insufficient and limited or out of sheer frustration they might even say that the ‘selection process’ practiced by the officers or the ministers has been unfair. However there are lots of jobs or work opportunities where the educated and literate people can earn enough money if there is no vacancy for government job. But being a Naga they fear to lose their status by doing cheap jobs. Instead they want to get rich within a night (without slow progress) and forget that ”ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY”. Their ‘bookish knowledge’ deny them to take up small jobs and their egos tell them to wait for bigger ones. This t is one major reason why the educated Nagas are unemployed.

If we look around, today the uneducated and illiterate youths engage themselves in different works or jobs, earned some and even contributed at least something to the family or society as well. It is very saddening to see those educated youths without earning anything. You must question yourselves whether you gave your best in your studies or whether you studied simply for the sake of getting a degree. Truly as I understand, I may be able to tell you as to why there is a menace of educated unemployed youth ; it is because, besides other practical factors ,unemployed youths when they were studying in schools and colleges did not pay much attention to their studies nor were they serious about their future. The attitude of a student plays important role in carving his/her future. Another reason why educated youths are unemployed is also because of their parents who want their children to get the government job they desire, without knowing their child’s dream. For that reason they are forced to fulfill their parents dreams and desires even though they are good at different fields. They keep trying for the government jobs and at the end of the day, they become jobless. Therefore now it’s high time for the parents to change their mind set and encourage their children to pursuit their own dreams, so that they may also accomplish their work and there would be no unemployment in the family and then in the society.

However in conclusion, I wish to say to the educated youths in Nagaland that they should not wait for the perfect moment to come but they must create it themselves . They should not wait for government jobs if they are interested in something else. Instead go for flourishing private industry in any part of India or abroad or start your own business. Finally they should not be ashamed to do small job or works because all jobs are equal in dignity when you do with honesty, sincerity and dedication. Let us begin with small and end with big.

Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Noyingbeni T. Erui, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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