Nand Kishore Yadav urged youth to develop practical skills, explore entrepreneurship and embrace diverse opportunities to build a self-reliant Nagaland.
KOHIMA — Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Tuesday called on the youth to acquire practical skills, explore diverse opportunities and develop an enterprising spirit to contribute to a self-reliant Nagaland.
He was addressing the State Level Youth Festival 2026 at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), Kohima, on the theme “Youth, Skills and a Self-Reliant Nagaland.”
Yadav said talent must be supported by knowledge, practical skills, discipline and continuous learning in a rapidly changing world. “A skill acquired today can become a lifelong asset, opening opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic independence,” he said.
Encouraging young people to explore fields including digital technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, tourism, handicrafts and creative industries, the Governor said skills were developed not only in classrooms but also through practice, experience, mentorship and hard work.
“Government employment alone cannot meet the aspirations of every young person. We must therefore be open to different pathways and opportunities,” Yadav said.
He said skill, determination, perseverance and an enterprising spirit could help young people build independent lives while contributing to the state’s economic development.
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The Governor also appreciated the Department of Youth Resources & Sports (YRS) for its skill based economic sustenance initiative of IG Academy students, under which handmade products and creative works by students of the state sports academy were displayed at the festival.
Yadav said sport teaches discipline, teamwork, perseverance and leadership, while sportspersons should also be encouraged to develop skills beyond the field of play to create additional livelihood opportunities and achieve economic independence.
He further urged the youth to take an active role in preserving Nagaland’s cultural heritage, saying folk songs, dances and traditional art forms reflected the State’s identity, history and collective heritage.
“Culture is not merely something we inherit from the past; it is also a responsibility we carry into the future,” he said, encouraging young people to learn about their heritage, appreciate the traditions of others and respect the knowledge of elders.
The Governor also stressed the importance of critical thinking and responsible use of technology.
He urged the youth to distinguish reliable information from misinformation, respect different viewpoints and express their ideas with reason, courtesy and responsibility.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, Yadav said the knowledge, skills, values and choices of the present generation would shape the India of tomorrow.
“The youth of Nagaland must be active participants in this journey,” he said, adding that the state had strengths in its people, cultural traditions, natural beauty and community bonds, along with opportunities in tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, sports and creative industries.
“Our challenge is to transform these strengths into sustainable opportunities,” he said.
Yadav also reminded participants that the festival was more than a competition, describing it as a platform for learning, interaction, creativity and personal growth. He encouraged them to build friendships, learn from one another and carry their experiences beyond the festival.
“Building a self-reliant Nagaland is a collective responsibility. Every young person has a role to play,” he said.
Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports S Keoshu Yimkhiung said Nagaland’s greatest strength was its people, with its youth gifted with creativity, courage, energy and a strong sense of community.
He said these qualities, when strengthened with knowledge, practical skills, discipline and confidence, could help transform lives and communities across the State.
“The world of work is changing, and young people need the ability to adapt,” Yimkhiung said, adding that skills in technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, tourism, sports, music, crafts and other fields could open new pathways.
He encouraged young people to identify problems around them, develop relevant skills and turn ideas into action, saying such efforts could lead to new ventures, meaningful work and stronger communities.
Yimkhiung said self-reliance began with recognising one’s abilities and taking responsibility for what one could become.
He added that self-reliance did not mean standing alone, but learning from others, working together and creating opportunities that benefit communities.
Secretary of YRS Anthony Ngullie, in his welcome address, said the National Youth Festival was a flagship event originally conceptualised under the National Integration Camp programme.
He said the festival brought together youth from diverse cultural and social backgrounds while fostering national integration, harmony and brotherhood.
He also highlighted the Young Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Challenge, introduced as a new component, and the department’s pilot skill-based economic sustenance initiative aimed at equipping young athletes with alternative skills to support their livelihoods after their playing careers.
The programme was led by YRS Director Kethosituo Sekhose, with cultural performances by Nuiland and Mokokchung districts.