DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 30: Advisor of Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA), Thongwang Konyak today clarified the misconception upheld by many people between the Department of Undeveloped Areas (DUDA) and Border Area Development Programme (BADP) saying the latter is a programme under DUDA for 13 blocks in the State and not as understood by the people.
He was addressing the valedictory programme cum distribution of machines/tools to the successful trainees under BADP Capacity Building Programme 2015-16 at Nagaland Tools Room and Training Centre (NTTC), New Industrial Estate, Dimapur, on November 30.
Stating that most of the trainees come from remote border areas, he said the department in-charge ought to utilise the abilities of the trainees for the benefit of the community. He also urged upon the trainees under BADP to work towards imparting knowledge and pass on their skills in their respective areas.
Konyak pointed out that BADP covers 13 blocks including six blocks in Mon district, three blocks in Tuensang district under Khiamniungan area, two in Pungro under Kiphire district and two in Phek district under Pochury area.
Unlike other States which receive enough funds under BAPD, Konyak asserted ‘whatever fund is received for BADP is used judiciously though the fund is not sufficient in the State.’
Director of DUDA, KS Anden Konyak said border regions of the State are deprived economically, politically and socially due to its geographic isolation. Delivering the overview of trainings under BADP capacity building programme, Anden Konyak said these regions are unable to take part in the economic growth at par with the rest of the State thereby resulting in stalling economic development.
He said the social and economic developmental programmes kept in place by the government have still not successfully penetrated in those regions. With few schools scattered throughout these regions and the absence of technical educational institutions, there are limited avenues to meaningful employment other than agriculture which is overly saturated, the Director underlined.
Even for the handful of people who have credible degree find themselves unable to get suitable employment based on their skills and education and are forced to look outside their region for meaningful employment. Moreover, the scenario gets even worst to the point where they have to settle jobs beyond these border regions, he stated.
“It is evident that for the growth and development of these regions, it is important that along with infrastructural development, employment should be created for the thousands of unemployment and underdeveloped process. These employment opportunities should help create new industries in the area and also help supplement and sustain existing ones and further go on to create our economy capable of absorbing hundreds of new workers every year,” articulated Konyak.
He opined that for creating such new local industries requires a population with certain degree of skill and technical knowledge. However, with the given physical absence of higher and technical educational institutions coupled with the financial barriers of accessibility to such institution outside the region, he said the capacity building of the population in these areas seemed discouraging.
What is required at this present juncture, according to him, is an external intervention that would helped encourage and build up skills of the local populace which would further go on to create economically viable and sustainable employment opportunity in the border regions.
Er. Petehetuo Miasalhou, Principal of NTTC, asserted that the society tends to look down on people who live on manual work not realising that these sections are the one proving their skills. However, he conveyed that people’s perspective towards manual workers is changing. He also reminded the trainees that skill development is a need without which no persons can move forward for employment. To be employable and be self employed, Miasalhuo conveyed that ‘skill is utmost for an individual’ to survive.
It may be mentioned here that since the inception of BADP, more than 5300 villagers have been benefitted sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Border Management, Government of India. From 2017-18 under the BADP Capacity Building/Skill Development Programme, the department is planning to give special emphasis on livelihood for farmers of Indo-Myanmar border block villages with an objective to improve the socio-economic condition of the most interior international border area villagers.
On the occasion, the chief guest launched the new Corn Sheller invented by NTTC which will be out in the market soon. He was presented with the smokeless meat dryer that was recently launched at the NTTC.
Altogether 30 trainees completed the course with 23 of them to receive job placement and seven committed to work as an entrepreneur.
