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Trainees are seen here with legislators from the eastern regions of the state, and DUDA officials after the valedictory function of the three-month capacity building programme at the Midway Resort in Tsiepama village on August 30.[/caption]
KOHIMA, AUGUST 30: With the aim to generate self-employment opportunities among the youths of the so-called backward districts of Nagaland, the Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) organized a training programme on various skill programmes at Midway Resort in Tsiepama.
The three-month long capacity-building programme, organized under Underdeveloped Area Programme (UDAP), culminated today with C Kipili Sangtam, minister for Power, as the chief guest for the valedictory programme.
570 eastern Naga youths attended the training program which was conducted by a local group, the Zynorique Initiatives Society of Nagaland.
In his address, Kipili lauded DUDA for providing training to the eastern Naga youths, who were mostly drop-outs students. The minister observed that Nagaland is progressing well, adding that the government will do everything possible on its part to uplift the status of the youths of the State.
To the trainees, he advised them not to bury what they have learned, but told them to reach out to other youths who did not attend the training programme.Speaking to a host of Eastern Naga youths, Kipili challenged them stating that it is time the Eastern Nagas strive hard to excel so that they come at par with the rest of the Naga tribes. To this target, he urged the youths to work ‘very hard’ with the aim to develop Eastern Nagaland in all fronts, so that they will be able to eradicate the ‘backward tag’.
Advisor of DUDA N. Thongwang Konyak said the concerned department initiated the training programme so as to train the youths to become self employed and alleviate them from poverty.
“There are so many youths in the State today who do not get the opportunity to enter government services. Having realized this gap, the DUDA initiated this human resource development programme to generate self employment, provide better livelihood with provision of basic amenities so as to alleviate poverty amongst the backward youths of the State,” Konyak said.
Happy that a large number of youths could attend the training programme, and in the process have become master trainers, Konyak urged them to go back to their respective places and train those who have not been skilled, besides to earn a livelihood with the machines and cash incentives which they received.
“The objective of the department’s capacity building programme is to boost the economy of our State and also to make Nagaland a skilled State,” Konyak said maintaining that “the onus is on them (youths) to work hard and set their goals in line with the skills that they have received through the training programme.”
Earlier, the keynote address was delivered by Senti Ao, secretary, DUDA, while Richard Belho presented an overview of the training programme. The objective of capacity building programme and the expected outcome was presented by K.S. Anden Konyak, director, DUDA. Short speech was also delivered by the chairman of Tsiepama Model Village, while Dr. Anungla Phom, joint director of DUDA, tendered the vote of thanks.
The valedictory programme was also attended by Minister RD, CL John and Parliamentary secretaries including R. Tohanba, Eshak Konyak, YM Yollow, L. Khumo, among others.
