Youth are the party’s strength, says Kekhrielhoulie Yhome at NDPP CYO Meet

KOHIMA — Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Advisor for School Education and SCERT, urged members of the NDPP Central Youth Organisation (CYO) to embrace their role as the “arms and hands” of the party with commitment and clarity.

Speaking at the 1st general meeting-cum-introductory session of the CYO for the 2024–27 tenure held at NDPP headquarters in Kohima, Yhome underlined the need to assign responsibilities based on individual strengths.

Highlighting the vibrancy of youth, he recommended setting up a dashboard to track activities in all constituencies, create a timeline and chart out the activities accordingly. With the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly at its mid-term, he stressed the need to create a strong party presence in all assembly segments.

He noted that the current opposition-less government, now further strengthened by the induction of seven NCP MLAs into the NDPP, provides a stable platform for development. Emphasising the importance of maintaining the state’s regional voice, he lauded Nagaland’s unique political status and control over its land and resources—unlike many indigenous peoples globally who have lost both.

“Nagas have much to look forward to,” he said. Stating that Nagaland ranks third in literacy in India, he said that time has come to invest deeply in the state’s human resources.

Yhome pointed out that the state holds significant natural potential, including ongoing discussions around oil exploration and coal mining along the Assam–Nagaland border. He also referenced a recent study suggesting Nagaland may have India’s largest nickel and cobalt deposits—often indicators of uranium reserves. Though extraction has yet to begin, he said the state is on the brink of “mapping a new Nagaland.”

“Our state was created due to political issues, making us unique,” he said. “Despite being a population of just over two million, our identity must stand out in the Indian context.”

Touching on economic realities, he acknowledged that Nagaland remains one of the poorest in terms of revenue generation. However, with 65% of the population under the age of 35, Yhome said the state's greatest asset is its youth. He called for efforts to harness this demographic through entrepreneurship, innovation, and alignment with government policies.

He encouraged CYO to take initiative through roadshows, grassroots programs, and policy integration. Citing the organisational strategies of the BJP, Yhome said the youth must serve as the “preparedness machine” ahead of elections.

“In a democracy, elections are vital. If we have nothing to showcase or highlight about our party, we cannot perform. That’s why I have high hopes for the CYO,” he said.

He also urged the youth to remain politically alert to emerging global shifts—including biopolitics and non-conventional warfare—stating that empowering young people is now more critical than ever.

In his presidential address, NDPP CYO President Imchatoba Imchen informed that 69 youth members, including 22 new inductees, have been appointed to the body from across various districts and constituencies.

He said the NDPP, though only eight years old, had overcome significant political turbulence under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and party president Chingwang Konyak. As a regional party with a national outlook, he said, the NDPP remains committed to channelling the energy and talent of youth into various state-building institutions.

Imchen also urged members to increase their presence on social media and stay engaged with evolving political narratives.