Students urged to foray into private sectors

Dimapur, Oct. 14 (EMN): Nagas still lack behind in the hotel and tourism industry to compete with the world as we are more focused on government jobs which have become a Naga family tradition. To do away with this tradition youngsters need to foray into industrial field and prove that government jobs alone do not provide us with survival requirements.

This was advocated by Niathu Group executive chef, Chenti Phom, at a seminar on entrepreneurship and scope in the field of fashion and hospitality industry on Saturday.

The seminar was organised by The Global Open University Nagaland (TGOUN) in association with Eastern Naga Students Union Dimapur, Lotha Students Union Dimapur, Ao Students’ Union Dimapur, Sumi Students’ Union Dimapur, and Tenyimia Students’ Union Dimapur at IMC hall Dimapur.

Addressing on “hospitality and tourism as a career,” resource person Phom said with globalisation the hospitality industry has increased with the movement of tourism. According to Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, the hotel tourism sector achieved around 9.2 US billion dollar of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from 2000-2016. Also he said the tourism industry, at present, employs one in every eleven person.
According to Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) the rooms at present in India’s hotel are 1,03,000 and the rooms required are 1,80,000 which gives the picture that the hotel industry need to grow more.

Emphasising on the state situation, he pointed out that Nagas need to change the mentality and assumption that we have associated with the Hotel industry where an individual is reluctant to serve others and do service for them which is essential in the hospitality industry.

Tourism inflow in India in 2017 is said to be 10 million and is expected to touch 15 million while in Nagaland in 2014 the domestic inflow was said to be 58507, foreign inflow 2505, whereas in 2015 the domestic inflow was said to be 64616 and foreign inflow 2769, noted Phom.

Accomplished designer Bambi Kevichusa, addressing on “perspective career prospects in fashion,” asserted that the internet and media has opened ways for us, especially for our parents to be more open in private sectors especially in the fashion industry.

“Fashion industry is a career that is much sought after now,” she conveyed. The fashion industry is growing 5.5% annually all over the world and is the 7th largest economy which has grown to 2.4 trillion dollar, highlighted Kevichusa.

Fashion industry is a sector which Nagas can try as it is in our DNA, she said.

“Earlier there was less demand for a Naga designer, particularly for garments designed by a Naga designer. But now the approach has changed and people are open to Naga designers which are encouraging leaving room for scope in fashion designing,” she added.

“We tend to be insensitive when we design. So a designer/artist need to deal with respect with their creativity though an artist has the freedom with their art,” remarked Kevichusa.

We need to approach with respect and sensitivity when we are dealing with our traditions which will ultimately reflect in our art, she underlined.

REM Group Nagaland managing director and chairman, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, who addressed on “entrepreneurship development,” exhorted the youth that if they are in Nagaland they should be a blessing to Nagas. He lamented that majority of the youth would opt for government jobs killing entrepreneurship.

“The resources in our land are beyond comparison of the limited population that we have and if taken care of and started in a proper manner, we can build for our future generation. If we are not willing to be audacious enough, we will not be successful. If you are not going to change in the profession you are taking you will not go far,” exhorted Longkumer.