The rising number of unemployed young people not only affects the individuals themselves but also threatens the economic stability and social fabric of our state.
Share
In recent years, Nagaland state has witnessed a troubling increase in youth unemployment — a growing issue that demands urgent attention from all sectors of society. The rising number of unemployed young people not only affects the individuals themselves but also threatens the economic stability and social fabric of our state. Naga youth unemployment has become a grave concern demanding immediate consideration. There are limited job opportunities for the young generation despite completing their education. The major causes of the Naga youth unemployment are absence of domestic industries and multinational companies (MNCs). The issue of youth unemployment leads to social unrest, increase in crime rates, substance abuse and suicidal cases in the Naga society. Solving Naga youth unemployment requires immediate implementation of the Naga political issue by the Government of India (GoI), as these strategies are crucial for creating state owned multinational companies and industries could be a solution to overcome youth unemployment.
With the increasing number of youngsters entering the job market, competition for acquiring jobs is also becoming intense. The heightened competition level not only present challenges for the Naga youth seeking employment opportunities, but also for the job markets accommodating the jobs as well. With limited job opportunities, many deserving individuals are left jobless. Another major factor causing youth unemployment is corruption. To elucidate, with the growing number of population, there is an increase in the rate of corruption with the hiring process. Those individuals having some family or political connections with the hiring authorities reserve their positions. This practice leads to nepotism, favouritism and bribery, which results in less deserving candidate being accommodated over the more qualified and deserving ones. Absence of state owned MNCs and industries is one of the prominent reasons for youth unemployment and has a drastic impact on younger generation.
As the number of population increases, the need for the basic living is also increasing significantly. There are no job opportunities for the younger generation to meet their daily living requirements and for their future as well. To meet their day-to-day needs, Naga educated youth seek jobs outside Nagaland, primarily due to severe scarcity of private sector opportunities, a saturated government job market, and limited local industrial development in Nagaland. The unemployment of Naga youth also leads young people engage in petty thefts, pick pocketing, pilfering and burglary. There are very few job opportunities for youngsters and an intense competition growing in their fields, they find it challenging to acquire the targeted jobs. This makes youth of today's generation more anxious, hopeless, and furious about their future achievements and plans. And it results in mental pressure, such as stress and depression, which increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.
Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya of 2022, Bangladesh’s “second liberation” of 2024, and the recent Gen-Z protests in Nepal all underscore a broader trend in South Asia—that the spring is here. These protests demonstrate a phenomenon where the younger generations are challenging the existing political culture and toppling governments to promote constitutional and political reforms, to embrace a better life, and address economic grievances. It highlights a broader dissatisfaction with the old elites and hollowed-out political and economic institutions. However, the implications of this ‘spring’ wave could be more severe than anticipated. With uncertainty of the Naga educated unemployed youth looming in large, instability could haunt the state government and may compel youth - led protest against the politicians due to lack of economic opportunities.
Furthermore, there are some solutions to overcome the Naga youth unemployment. First of all, government of India should implement the two agreed agreement “Framework Agreement” August 3, 2015 signed between Government of India (GoI) the NSCN (IM) and the “Agreed Position” November 17, 2017 signed between the Government of India (GoI) and the WC, NNPGs in order to bring development and maximise employment opportunities in Nagaland for the youngsters. To explicate, Government of Nagaland (GoN) should step down to pave the way for the Naga solution instead of reiterating its commitment to step down time and again to pave the way for any alternative.
To encapsulate, it can be concluded that lack of development in the state is one of the significant reasons of youth unemployment in Nagaland. It has major effects on the society which leads to an increasing crime rates and suicidal activities. This problem can be cured by implementing the two gentlemen Agreement signed by our Naga political groups (NPGs) on behalf of the Naga people. I believe, once the Government of India implement the two agreement (Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position) with the little mindfulness and careful scrutiny, the menace of Naga youth unemployment can be won over.
Zanben Ezung
Dimapur, Nagaland