Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) organised a felicitation programme for Naga students who emerged as toppers in the HSLC and HSSLC 2021 examinations at Capital Convention Centre, here on Thursday.
In his speech, guest speaker of the programme, secretary, finance and PHED, Kesonyü Yhome while addressing the students said up until now, they were living within the confines and comforts of their parents and teachers with no knowledge about failure or challenges in the real world.
He pointed out the importance of making students understand the meaning of failure so that they would not give up when they faced it on their own.
“You have graduated from one level but this is just the beginning. You will face challenges and failures along the way but remember to persevere towards your goal”, Yhome stated.
He said success was not only measured by how high a person had reached but was also measured by how strong a person fought back in the face of failures.
Sharing the concerns on the unemployment rate, Yhome said this was a burning issue which had marred the progress of the state.
According to employment exchange, Nagaland has over 60,000 unemployed youths as of 2019, Yhome said.
The figure was in regard to those who had registered, however there would be more who had not registered, he added.
He pointed out that Nagaland had the second highest unemployment rate in the country with 21 percent, only next to Lakshadweep, while the national average was at six percent according to a survey by national statistical office.
He cited another report by department of evaluation some years back where a total of 13,380 shops were surveyed in three districts including Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung.
According to this report there were a total of 45,815 non-Naga workforce with annual income of Rs 450.60 crores, Yhome said.
He added that while on one hand Nagas were whining about unemployment, on the other hand the non-Nagas were making huge earnings.
He maintained that although they were faced with unemployment, Nagas were not even ready to do manual labour.
“Our people do not have the physical capacity, skill sets or the desire to engage in such job opportunities because we feel that we are educated and such jobs are too low for us,” Yhome said.
He pointed out that Nagas were accustomed to easy living and that every individual across all the communities were prone and vulnerable to making easy money.
He said the living standards and the income of a person did not match since everyone was after a high standard of living even if their income was low.
Yhome observed that such vices should be discussed to let people be aware and get rid of it.
Earlier during the president’s address, Kegwayhun Tep congratulated the students and wished them success in their future endeavours.
He urged them to become assets to their families and society and not liabilities.
Short speech on behalf of the toppers was delivered by HSLC top no. 1, Keneino Thorie while Kekhrongulo Letho spoke on behalf of the parents.
The programme was led by NSF publicity and information secretary, Mteisuding while education secretary felicitated the toppers.
Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo pastor, Arep Tzudir invoked God’s blessing and NSF speaker James Briliantson Kashung pronounced the benediction.
A special number was presented by Virie while NSF games and sports secretary, Kaisü Chakre proposed the vote of thanks. A total of 70 toppers were felicitated during the programme.