Business: ‘Unity of Nagas required for economic prosperity’

[caption id="attachment_49151" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Kesonyu Yhome, in grey suit, seen here with members of local community self-help groups in Dimapur after a program on November 18.[/caption] Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 18 Encouraged by the activities undertaken by various Self Help Groups (SHG) at the SARAS fair, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Kesonyu Yhome has said that if such activities continue for a longer period Nagaland state would witness ‘brighter and better days of economy both in rural and urban areas.’ Speaking as guest of honor at the valedictory program of SARAS fair, 2015, Yhome stressed on ‘market’ and ‘development’ saying that they play a major role towards economic growth of states both in the rural and urban areas. With 65% of people living in the rural areas, Yhome said, thinking about ‘urban growth’ only will not bring change. The rural artisans and farmers should be given equal importance in order for the state to witness social and cultural change in the state, he said.The deputy commissioner also highlighted that the migration of people from rural to urban areas in search of better livelihood has been increasing immensely. To reverse the migration of rural populations to the urban areas, the rural development sectors are bringing up various schemes and exposure in order to promote marketing skills among the people, he said. Yhome also that said one of the major problems being faced in the rural areas was the poor transportation facility. This hindrance acts as a major hindrance to exposing produces. He said that the people in the rural areas will always be ‘in a limited boundary where the products can only be sold within the neighboring areas.’ He said that the excess in availing credit was also a major problem that fences the people in from expanding the market. The deputy commissioner said that the initiation of the government is important to increase the demand and supply of products for the welfare of the people of the rural areas. But without ‘unity’ among the people any kind of business will never be successful, said Yhome. The official appealed to all the SHG members present in the event to change mindsets ‘of prospering without unity’. Individual hard work will never take the state forward, he said. Applauding the organizers for providing a platform for SHG for all districts of the state, the guest of honor said such fair will help the people of the rural in a greater way as staying within the district will not bring any positive change and the level of innovativeness will always remain stagnant. He said Nagaland in particular has a wrong notion towards business and entrepreneurship while lamenting that the Nagas in general are too ambitious towards entrepreneurship and dreams of becoming rich and successful overnight. And that we are ashamed and not satisfied to do small business. He also appealed the gathering to work hard and to make use of every opportunity that comes their way. “Men’s approach towards women folk has change with more space and independence entrusted and this has made us women more dynamic and ground-breaking” expressed Chubala, a member of an NSRLM Self Help Group from Kiphire at the valedictory program. Sharing her experience Chubala said the SARAS fair has been a blessing as it has provided a platform for learning from each other. She said women have a lot of innovative ideas and this is what she understood as so many women from different corners of the State and from other states gathered together displaying and selling products grown and made by them. Acknowledging that during the initial days of the fair, women shared anxiety to be away from family members and were occupied with the thoughts of their children back at home. However with time and the fair, they adapted with the environment which nurtured and polished their business skills. She conveyed that through SARAS Fair each participant will be carrying back home talents that they have nurtured from each other and essentially that every material is worth working on which can be practically valuable. Sharing those experiences she also advised the fellow SHG women to abstain from thinking only of monetary gains and to instead sustain the knowledge gained during this event as that would last them a lifetime. She thanked NRLM for providing the opportunity and said Naga women have progressed so much and livelihood would increase if this trend continues. The Regional SARAS Fair 2015 which was commenced on November 9 at Urban Haat is being initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development GOI and organized by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) Department under the RD Department Nagaland. Various SHG from various parts of the district took part in the 10 days fair while SHG from Assam, Mizoram and Kerala also participated at the fair. Basing on the sale proceeds, dealing of the products, presentation and various other criterias, the overall winner of the fair from within the state was awarded to Phek District and Mizoram SHG from the outside state. While all the participants were acknowledged with certificates.