The hands of time appear to be swinging faster than it should in Nagaland; life is changing quickly, thanks to technology and easy access to information that many seniors working in various sectors— government, private, civil society organisations and insurgency groups—seem to be finding it hard to cope with the transition. Suddenly, decisions and the rhetoric that might have received applauds a decade ago are ridiculed today. Social practices that were considered to be good not long ago have been attacked by feminists and intellectuals. What was considered ‘cool’ a few years ago are not so anymore. This is why many end up being trolled on social media just for saying something that they thought was right. It is an indication that the generation gap and difference of opinion among children and their parents and grandparents is huge.
Today, almost all the leaders from politicians to social workers to intellectuals are spreading the message that the government job sector in the state is saturated and the only way to boosting the economy of the state and fighting unemployment problem is by taking up entrepreneurship. They are right and there is no argument about that. But sadly, underlying issues remain. It won’t be surprising if the same people who are urging others to start private enterprises want their children to get only government jobs even if they have to bribe in terms of lakhs of rupees. This is the ground reality of our society today.
On the other hand, youths do heap praises on those who take up professions that most people don’t dare to like the two girls from Mon district who were in the news recently for choosing to become mechanics, which is something rare in Naga society. They preach dignity of labour, which is good. However, the unemployment rate in the state tells a totally different story. Young people don’t seem to follow what they preach. Most educated youths still prefer government job. If that’s not the case, why are the educated youths not taking up entrepreneurship in a big way? A few people have, which is encouraging, but it is peanuts.
For change to happen in the state, it is necessary for the people, both young and old, to change their mindset. Many students study without knowing what they really want to do in life. So, they are clueless like a ship in an unruly sea when they graduate from college. They are stuck between their parents’ wish and their passion. But we should not take up a profession just because others are in it, or not. We shouldn’t take up something that others think we should be good at. We should follow our passion and do what we love. Only then we can excel in what we do. Parents too should not stop their children from following or working towards achieving their dreams. Some may find self-actualisation early while others may find it towards the fag end of their life but it is important to find it and do what you love even for a day. It will give immense satisfaction.
