Leading the way for self employment

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 3 At a time when employment opportunity in the government sector is grim and with over 65,000 registered educated employed in the state, entrepreneur like Imnanungsang NDR come as a hope and an eye opener for other youth of the state. Youth like Imnanungsang, who launched a fine diner ‘Modern Apron’ on Wednesday, also reminds the people that Nagas have not lost their hard-working culture for which they are known to other society. Nothing comes easy but, at the end of the day, hard work always pays off. And for the young entrepreneur, his hard work and determination has been rewarded with a fine dining restaurant after six long years. It may not have been a smooth ride but a happy looking Imnanungsang said that he was lucky to have opened a new dining restaurant. “The job opportunity in the government sector has now reached a saturation point and government cannot provide everyone with a job, but if government can initiate some kind of financial help to committed entrepreneurs, I believe the youths of Nagaland can be greatly benefited,” the young entrepreneur said. He, however, reminded the youth that it is they themselves who have to take the first step. “The entrepreneurs have to take the first step because no one is going to come and pick them up,” Imnanungsang said. A finalist of the first edition of Naga Chef, Imnanungsang completed his diploma in Hotel Management from Bangalore and also worked in a couple of best restaurants in Dimapur besides his home catering service before starting his own business. He is thankful to his parents and friends for their support. “Without them, I could not have opened it (Modern Apron)… They are my backbone,” he said. However small the number may be, Modern Apron, setting an example to other business establishments, has employed only Naga youth in the dining restaurant. At the moment, there are five employees. Speaking about the food, the young chef expressed his hope that people will like the food. The restaurant, located at Duncan Basti, is a casual dining restaurant and the food has a modern touch. “It is for anyone who loves food,” the young chef added. The restaurant opens for business from December 4 from 11 am till 7:00 pm.