Issue of unemployment:A concern for Naga youth

The rise of unemployment among the youths in Nagaland is becoming a serious problem of the present day. There are many individuals seeking government jobs, but there are limited opportunities available in the state. Due to the high number of unemployment, the state’s economy has seen a major setback.
A significant portion of the unemployed are educated youth. The educated youth of the state has a strong preference for governmental jobs which is viewed as the benchmark for stable and respectable employment options. Nagaland has a weak industrial sector and an underdeveloped agri-allied sector, making it difficult for the educated youth to find suitable alternatives outside the government sector.
Nagaland is increasingly perceived by outsiders as a land of opportunities. However, this has become a concern for the locally educated youths, as most of the business and construction sectors are being controlled and operated by outsiders rather than by the locals, leading to a major setback for the youths in the entrepreneurial sector.
Due to the lack of opportunities, many educated youths are being pushed towards joining armed rebel groups, which is an alarming trend. Although it may not be possible to eradicate unemployment completely, it can be reduced by creating more job opportunities.
The Nagaland government has launched the Chief Minister Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI), which is earmarked to support around 1600 entrepreneurs and also the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM) aiming to empower 5000 youths across the state through skill development and employment opportunities. Such an initiative will not only encourage job seekers but will provide the youth with more opportunities.
Present-day academics should not only focus on learning through books, but rather, the institutions should allow students to venture out to learn the skills that will help individuals and will provide more enhancement for job opportunities among the youths of the state.
Effective government policies from stakeholders are urgently needed to foster employment among the youth. By equipping the youth with proper training and skills and by developing more industrial and private sectors, job opportunities can expand beyond the government sector. This, in turn, will contribute to the overall economic prosperity of the state.
Chumthungo Patton,
B.A. 6th Semester
Department of Political Science, Modern College, Piphema.