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Resource person demonstrating on detergent powder making during the skill development seminar conducted by ANCSU on August 26.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 26 (EMN): All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on Saturday organised a seminar on skill development highlighting the potentials of empowerment of youth through cooperatives. The event, held at ‘Molu Ki’ in Kohima was sponsored by the State department of Cooperation.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural session, Additional RCS Nagaland, B Bumo Khiamniungan, pointed out that the educational and social systems often alienate the youth from decision making processes though they formulate the majority of labour force, while government support for development of the youth in providing resources in different jobs is also marginal. Therefore, he observed, the valuable human resource in youth gets wasted in the absence of sufficient direction.“A holistic approach to youth development is essential as the youth have strong emotional life and material needs. When they are strong spiritually, they could become leaders of their destiny,” he said.
Towards this, the official highlighted that cooperatives are an alternative to involve the youth in the socio-economic development of the country. He explained that through involvement in pre-cooperatives such as self help groups, the youth can gain exposure of cooperatives, acquire a self-managing character and also realise and learn to utilise their creative potential, productivity and development.
However, he emphasised that this cannot be achieved through theoretical teaching in the school curriculum alone but through group activities, where cooperation is practiced by participation. He also explained that there are two broad types of cooperatives for young people namely community-based youth cooperatives and institutionalised youth cooperatives.
Sharing his view that almost every student, after attaining education will try for white collar job but only few will succeed and the rest will be left as ‘educated unemployed,’ the official stressed on the need for the youth to realise and develop early the skill of self-entrepreneurship and self-employment.
He also revealed that there are about 8000 cooperative societies registered in Nagaland but most of them were non-functional due to lack of education among members. Towards this end, he said educated youth can put to use their knowledge for proper functioning of such societies.
“It is high time for you to change the concept and scenario…. Don’t try to just become an employee but try to become an employer,” Bumo challenged the participants.
Earlier in the programme, ANCSU president Temjennungsang Jamir delivered the keynote address, while the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) vice president Boveio Poukai Duo delivered greetings and introduction on skill development was made by NCUI project officer Ketholenuo Soleho.
During the second session, practical on how to make mixed pickle, detergent washing powder and cleaning gel were demonstrated. The demonstration was made by Ketholenuo Soleho, Ketosenu Kintso and Hetoni Kinimi. All the participants were awarded certificates of participation.
