Education should empower, not entitle: Minister Metsubo Jamir

MOKOKCHUNG — Minister for Rural Development and State Institute for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir, reminded the educated youths that education should be pursued for empowerment and not as a ticket to entitlement.

The minister was addressing the silver jubilee celebration of Youth Association Aongza Ward (YAAW) held on October 1 at Aongza Ki as the chief guest.

Jamir explained that education is a means to gain knowledge which would empower one to stand on their feet rather than expecting automatic job placement as an entitlement

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“Be shameful to ask your parents to get you a job after completing your master’s degree,” he cautioned, urging the youths to embrace education for empowerment, not entitlement.

Extending jubilee greetings, the minister said that the celebration is a time to retrospect and introspect on the foundation and objectives laid down by the association’s pioneers, and perform beyond the expectation of the former’s leaders.

Jamir said that during his eight years of association with Aongza Ward, he observed that the ward possesses inherent leadership potential and unique blessings.

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He also observed that in Aongza Ward, 60 percent of the youths are not involved in active politics, which he believed could foster strong community development and collective growth.

“There is strength in unity in an apolitical association, and it reflects the non-political oriented outlook of the YAAW and its 25 years journey,” he said.

As a matured association, he advised YAAW to uphold its ideology and unity when turbulence crosses their path, adding, ‘when youths are strong, they can shield any storms that could otherwise fragment the community.’

Dr. Taisunep, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Nagaland University, the keynote speaker, said that the unique heritage of Aongza Ward is “Inclusiveness, where there is no dominance of a single voice but instead ideas from all individuals are pooled to shape into a common goal.”

He said that they had not been aware of or realised the blessing they had received from such collective ideas and urged the YAAW to preserve this inherited blessing in each individual's consciousness.

“Giving mutual respect to others' understanding and moulding the best collected thought from all individuals into the best ideas lead to creativity and innovation,” he said.

He pointed out that, given the current brain economy, it is essential to ground their creativity and innovative ideas in reality.

“But if we want to know the reality, we must embrace the diverse perspectives into a real picture, besides that we should be ready to accept our limitation of understanding when other perspectives edge over our opinion,” he said.

“Don’t take it personally when your ideas are not accepted but overcome your limitations by learning more.”

Earlier, Temjemmoa Jamir, proprietor of Nagaland Minerals & Mines, released the jubilee souvenir.

Commemorating the Jubilee, the YAAW also passed two resolutions: To promote holistic youth development and strengthen YAAW, the association will regularly host activities in sports, music, and art. A committee will be formed to oversee implementation. Additionally, periodic entrepreneurial workshops will be organised to equip youth with practical skills, fostering self-reliance and addressing unemployment.