Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 16 (NPN): Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, has stressed that Nagaland’s economic transformation must begin with strengthening human resources, saying literacy and modern infrastructure alone cannot ensure sustainable development without hard work, humility, inclusiveness and a willingness to learn.
Speaking at the 3rd Nagaland Economic Association (NEA) Conference-cum-International Seminar on “Refocusing Human Capital Development: Challenges and Opportunities” at Kohima College on October 16, Along said people must apply their knowledge practically and contribute to society rather than focus solely on personal or family advancement.
Acknowledging the importance of roads, housing and modern amenities, he cautioned that infrastructure would have limited value without strong human resources. He said negative attitudes, blame games, backbiting and divisive tribalism were hindering social progress, adding that civilisation should be measured not merely by material achievements but also by sustainability and the ability to support and uplift one another.
Urging students to learn beyond classrooms, Along highlighted the paradox of Nagaland being among the country’s most literate states while facing high unemployment. He noted that graduates and postgraduates continued to compete for limited government jobs, stressing that education must equip young people with practical skills to apply their knowledge productively.
Describing education as a lifelong process, he challenged teachers, professors and professionals to assess whether their work and community engagement were strengthening the state’s human resources. He urged academics and professionals to engage with young people, women and rural communities, share knowledge, build local capacity and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs in turning ideas into viable businesses.
Along also called for greater recognition of women’s contributions to education, professional fields and public life. Emphasising responsibility, cooperation and practical engagement, he said Nagaland’s future could not be built through agitations and divisive rhetoric alone. “There is no shortcut to success,” he said, stressing the importance of acquiring knowledge, applying it practically and helping others succeed.
Delivering a presentation, Prof. Zuchamo Yanthan of the Discipline of Library and Information Science, School of Social Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, said Nagaland’s greatest resource was its people. He called for a shift from producing degree holders to developing capable individuals, from job seekers to opportunity creators, and from viewing people merely as human capital to recognising their wider potential.
Yanthan said human capital was often measured through education, skills and knowledge, but every individual also possessed dreams, talents, ideas and the ability to contribute to society. Farmers, artists, teachers and young people, he said, should be recognised for their broader contributions rather than defined solely by their occupations or employment prospects.
Identifying educated but unemployed or underutilised youth as a major challenge, he said employment opportunities had not expanded at the same pace as educational attainment. While acknowledging that seeking employment was legitimate, he stressed that the government could not provide jobs for everyone and urged young people to explore opportunities to create livelihoods and enterprises.
Calling for educational reforms amid rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence, automation and climate change, Yanthan said schools and colleges must nurture critical thinkers, innovators, problem-solvers and responsible citizens. He advocated internships, live projects and hands-on experiences to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
He added that entrepreneurship extended beyond starting businesses to recognising opportunities, solving problems, creating value and turning ideas into action. Nagaland’s land, culture, food, forests, crafts, music, biodiversity and indigenous knowledge, he said, could provide the foundation for sustainable livelihoods when combined with modern skills, technology, design, branding and marketing.
Yanthan encouraged greater processing, packaging and marketing of local products instead of selling only raw materials. He said tourism should create opportunities for farmers, artisans, musicians, guides and homestay owners, while local youth should become creators, owners and value builders. He also called for harnessing the knowledge, skills, networks and investments of Nagas living outside the state, describing the goal as a shift from the migration of talent to the circulation of talent.
Concluding, he urged educational institutions to promote critical thinking, independent thought, debate and the exchange of ideas, while calling on the government to create an environment where people could experiment, innovate and succeed.
The programme featured folk song performances by Javino Lhousa and Neikhotsono Vikhrie, while NEA president Dr. Vitsosie Vupru delivered the welcome address. The conference examined challenges and opportunities in human capital development, particularly the gap between Nagaland’s growing pool of educated youth and limited employment opportunities.
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