Job dilemma

Much has been said about empowering young people through skill development and employment programs, and indeed, much has been done. Across Nagaland, various initiatives are underway to train the youth and prepare them for job opportunities. This focus on upskilling is both commendable and necessary—an acknowledgment that the state’s young population is its greatest asset. Yet, amid all this enthusiasm for skill-building, one uncomfortable question remains largely unaddressed: where will these skilled young people find work? The stark reality is that Nagaland’s economy remains worryingly stagnant. Economic activity, particularly in the industrial sector, is minimal. While small and micro enterprises exist here and there, they are too few and fragile to absorb the growing number of skilled jobseekers. In truth, the problem is not just the lack of jobs but the absence of a strong economic foundation capable of generating and sustaining them. For years, discussions about development have revolved around employment creation, but the focus needs to shift towards industrial and economic revitalization. Infrastructure projects have been announced, industrial estates have been planned, and yet, many of these initiatives remain dormant. A striking example is the Ganesh Nagar Industrial Estate-once envisioned as a sprawling thousand-acre hub of enterprise. Today, it wears a haunting silence. Its sheds stand still, its promise unrealized. Such examples tell a story of Nagaland’s slow drift between aspiration and inertia. The pressing question is, why has the state failed to attract or sustain industries? Part of the answer lies in the lack of reliable power supply-the very lifeblood of economic and industrial growth. Nagaland’s hydropower potential estimates range from 1,452 MW to 1,574 MW across small and large hydro projects. The state receives about 145-202 MW through central allocations and local generation, covering 69-90% of demand depending on season. It remains power deficit, importing 90-95% during lean periods. Without sufficient and stable electricity, factories cannot run efficiently, production costs soar, and investors lose interest. Even the most well-intentioned government policies and skill programs will falter in the absence of this basic enabler. Equally concerning is the question of governance and policy implementation. It is not enough to announce new schemes or construct unused estates; development demands consistent follow-through, accountability, and transparency. Only with competent governance can the benefits of public investment reach deserving entrepreneurs-those with the vision and capacity to transform local economies. If Nagaland truly seeks progress, it must return to the drawing board-not to repeat old mistakes, but to rethink its developmental priorities. Power generation and reliable infrastructure must form the bedrock of a new economic strategy. Alongside it, the government must actively encourage entrepreneurship, simplify business regulations, and ensure that trained youth have the ecosystem to put their skills to productive use. The challenge before the state is not merely about creating employment but about creating opportunity. Upskilling the youth without establishing industries or addressing systemic deficiencies is like building a ship without water-it looks promising but goes nowhere. For Nagaland to move forward, it must shift focus from short-term job schemes to long-term structural transformation. Only then will the hum of activity truly return to its industrial estates and, with it, a brighter, self-sustaining future for its young generation.