Principal Correspondent
Khonoma, May 14
Chief Minister TR Zeliang while expressing that the unresolved Naga political issue has become a big hindrance to socio-economic development of state today asserted that early resolution has become the common concern for all, including students and youth, as it is their future which is at stake.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 26th general conference of NSF as chief guest here, Zeliang said with the Naga political issue dragging on for more than six decades, the present and future generations of Nagas are moving towards uncertain destination.
The Chief Minister however lamented that the Naga nationalist groups, instead of uniting for the common Naga cause, are dividing themselves into more and more groups, which is having adverse impacts on the socio -economic activities of the people.
“Our state has lots of potentials for different kinds of investments. However, investors will have second thought before coming to our land because of the prevailing environment,” he said.
Stating that the Government of India is very serious to resolve Naga political issue, he said that the youngsters led by NSF and other Naga civil societies can play active role to pressurize the GoI and Naga nationalist groups to bring an early solution to the Naga political issue.
“Solution alone can bring permanent peace and take forward Nagaland towards development and progress,” he added.
Dwelling on the theme of the conference,“Towards a just society,” he termed it as very relevant in today’s context.
“Naga society today needs a healing touch and unity, both in the overground and underground politics and in the civil societies. To heal the wounds of the past, we all need to forgive one another, because, directly or indirectly, we are all part of the system, which has brought about the present situation,” he said adding that only through mutual forgiveness, we can move forward towards our goal for a better future.
Zeliang also said that Nagaland has to gear up, and participate in a big way in national skill development mission.
He said the present education system in the country is basically geared to prepare students for white collar jobs in the government sector, which are already over-saturated, especially in the northeast region.
As a result, the population of educated unemployed youth keeps on increasing year by year.
He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been stressing on the need for creating a large pool of “skilled force,” that would turn India into skilled India, and that would help in realizing his new slogan “Make in India.”
He said, Nagaland state is in dire need of skill development at all levels, starting from bricks and mortar concrete works and road metalling, upto BPO and other IT enabled services, preparation of DPRs, architectural designs and drawings and consultancy service etc, all of which are skilled based, requiring a level of skills.
“But at the moment, I would say that the most basic and urgent need for Nagaland is to build up a “local skilled workforce,” that can take over all kinds of construction works and road making in the state,” he said adding that this will be the best way we can stop the ever increasing influx of outsiders, including the IBIs into the state, to protect our ethnic and cultural identity, and to prevent the danger of assimilation by non-tribal.
He felt that the NSF, Entrepreneur Associates and similar influential organizations and civil societies should be involved in this mission, so that, together, we can succeed in changing our negative mindset towards taking up of construction works involving use of steel, bricks, cement and bitumen etc.
“We all know that these days, without the use of these basis materials, no worthwhile construction can be done. Our traditional skills in wood and bamboo construction works have become outdated. Unless we can construct our own buildings, houses, roads and bridges, even when central funds are provided to us, how can we grow up to be self-sufficient and self-respecting people even in the long run?,” he questioned.
On the ILP issue, he said, “till such time we have the requisite skills and willing workforce, we have to depend on non-Naga workers and it is in this context that we need to have a more practical policy on issue of ILPs.”
Lauding the NSF for making contribution in protecting and preserving our traditions and cultural identity, by highlighting the danger of cultural and economic assimilation by the outside forces, he said “Nagas must preserve the unique identity without which we will be insignificant in this mighty country”.
He also complimented NSF for their active role in promoting good neighbourly relations amongst the northeastern states. He recollected that on several occasions, when economic blockades were enforced against Nagaland by some groups or organizations in Assam due to violent incidents in the border areas, the NSF often became one of our goodwill ambassadors to negotiate with their counterparts in Assam, and help in defusing tension.
Chief Minister continued that NSF is one of the best organised and most respected students organizations that he had come across.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by galaxy of cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries also unveiled the conference monolith, some few kms away from the conference site before reaching Dzülakie.
The conference will conclude with the election of new team of office bearers for the tenure 2015-17 while MP Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio will grace the valedictory session at 5:30 pm.
