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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 10 (EMN): Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Entrepreneurs Associate (EA), Neichute Duolo on Thursday said that it is difficult to foster entrepreneurship in Naga society when people have insatiable thirst for government jobs.
He stated this while addressing a webinar on ‘The role of community in fostering entrepreneurship’ as guest speaker organised by the Phek district administration and district-level centre for women (DLCW)-Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK), Phek. He was optimistic that such a platform would go a long way in building the society.
He stated that the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown had hit India with -23% (minus 23 per cent) GDP growth in the last quarter report and added that except the agriculture sector recorded 3% growth rate.
Duolo maintained that there have been a negative growth and the country has lost 2.10 crore salaried jobs. He however hoped that the trends would be changed by October.
He shared that even if the economy had opened up, jobs are lost and economy is yet to be restored. So, he emphasised on the need for entrepreneurship in the state.
As government employees are paid salary even if they don’t have to attend the work during the lockdown period, he stated that the concept of security in government job has been strengthened among the Nagas.
“Every graduate from Nagaland has a dream of securing government job and every parent too dreams to see their children get a government job,” he stated.
While maintaining that there was nothing wrong in looking for government job, he however stated that when the society only looks for such jobs it becomes difficult to foster entrepreneurship in such a situation. As people have started thinking differently, he said, adding that he advocated entrepreneurship as job providers are becoming important for the society to grow.
Expounding on the possibilities of international trade and potential of trade corridor of the country due to the strategic geographical location of the Northeast India, Duolo said, “Northeast is not a land-lock region but a land-link region”.
Stating that Nagaland is not an exception from the potential map of corridors for trade, he said entrepreneurship would only make trade corridor a reality. Spelling out hard work as the mantra of business, he urged the young people to think differently and foster entrepreneurship.
He advised people who are in business as well as those aspiring to be one to focus on social development by giving back to the society. He stated that entrepreneurship must develop a business system that would not only fetch money, income and profit but also bring in social change so as impact an overall growth of the society.
Duolo also stressed on the need for building trust among the people of the state in order to reduce the frustration among the Naga youth, which according to him, is one of the underlying virtues of the Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) in believing the local people.
Pointing out that “Nagas have too many excuses when it comes to business,” he stressed on the need to stay positive and being focus with discipline while believing in oneself.
Also stressing on the role of churches in fostering entrepreneurship in the state, Duolo stated that they must pray and encourage entrepreneurs and not only pray for those who write for public examination or want a government job.
“Business is far more than what normal Nagas understand and you can create opportunities for others only if you take up business seriously,” he stated.
Delivering the opening remark, the sub-divisional officer (Civil), Phek Sadar, Zhoi Lohe said the programme was aimed at giving platform for creating awareness to young entrepreneurs to share ideas, knowledge experiences of the established entrepreneurs. The objective of the platform, according to him, was to motivate and encourage the youth to think differently and act differently so that they might in turn contribute to the community and the society.
Various entrepreneurs namely Vishu Rita Krocha, journalist and founder of Penthrill Publication House; Seve Ringa Vadeo, farmer and owner of Pig Garden at Seithekie 'A'; Toyi Swuro, owner of Craft Gallery, Phek; Tewu Mero, owner of Abode Store at Pfutsero; and Posiethsü Kajiri, owner of Memory Baker at Meluri town, also shared their experiences.