Tap untapped potentials of NE: Tongpang Ozukum

North-East India Youth leaders conclave begins in Kohima

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 8

Nagaland’s Water Resources advisor Tongpang Ozukum today stressed on the need to tap the untapped potentials of the people and the north east region.

“North East region has potentials and the only thing we need to do is to tap the untapped potentials,” he said while addressing the opening plenary of two-day long ‘Northeast India Youth leaders Conclave’ here under the theme, “Empowering Youth Leaders-Bridging SDGs and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development.”

The region is blessed with an incredible natural beauty, rich biodiversity and rich cultural heritage, he maintained. 

“For generations, we are enjoying benefit out of this rich eco system. However, this elegant eco system is now facing threats because of human actions like deforestation, hunting, pollution, climate change and many more,” he added

In this, the Advisor called upon the young leaders to discuss on such issues and come out with certain measure in order to sustainably protect and preserve the region’s rich biodiversity for now and posterity.

“We should also develop eco-friendly infrastructure, community-based tourism that will unlock the vast potential of the region,” he said.

He further noted that said the NE region is not only blessed with rich biodiversity but also blessed with multi ethnic and multi-cultural diversity as well.

The biodiversity of the region should not come to divide or disintegrate us further but should be used it to our advantage, he said.

Ozukum also challenged the young leaders to understand the intricacy of the socio-political dynamics of the region “and all times we must try to promote ethnic tolerance, cultural acceptance, understanding each other’s way of life and peaceful co-existence.”

He said that Nagaland state has reached saturation point on government jobs for which the government is trying to scale down government job appointments and focus more on innovation, skill development technology and entrepreneurship.

Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has introduced the CM’s Micro Financing Scheme to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among the younger generation, he highlighted.  

Along with the existing other central schemes coupled with CMMFS, innovation schemes should be used to bring economy transformation in the state and region, he said.

“Covid 19 pandemic has given the realisation that we must go back to our land, work hard and use of the traditional method of farming and also modern technology to be self-sufficient and have food security,” he added.

Stating that Nagaland has brought out the state’s vision document 2030 in Nagaland in 2021 with the background 17 SDGs set by the United Nations in 2015, he said: “It is a big challenge. With the participation of the state holders, grassroot leaders, civil society leaders, government machineries, we hope to achieve the targets for inclusive and sustainable development of Nagaland.”  

Further, he lauded National Foundation of India (NFI) for organising the conclave to instill the sense of responsibility and a sense of leadership into the minds of the young leaders from the north east region.

He also described the theme of the conclave as crucial and vital for the overall growth and development of the region.

Crafting a new vision
Biraj Patnaik, Executive Director, NFI said that 100 youth leaders have gathered here to reflect on not just about building peace and to take SDGs framework forward but to craft  a new vision for the entire region.

He informed that SDGs have provided overall framework for development and young people have the responsibility to carry forward.

On economic, political and climate fronts, you will have to fix in the way which is more inclusive, much less divisive, much more respectful of diversity and positive peace, he said.

Limabenla Jamir, Development Consultant, Local Public Sector Alliance, Washington DC said: “We want young leaders to understand how we can harvest the biodiversity of the region, understand the economic opportunities in the region, understand the geopolitical landscape of the region, how innovation can thrive growth and development. And most importantly, address issues around poverty, inequality so that there can be inclusive development in the region.”

Stating that NEIMUN is supporting the initiative of NFI, she said “we are actualising the SDG goals, focusing on youth, peace and security.”

Jamir was hopeful that through the conclave the youth leaders will forge friendship that will last life time.

“I hope, you will forge partnership that will make the difference in our community,” she said.

About NE Youth Leaders Conclave
Organised by the NFI in collaboration with Nagaland’s Department of Youth Resources and Sports, and co-funded by European Union with NEIMUN as the knowledge and technical partner, 100 youth leaders from all 8 NE states are attending the conclave. 

Among others, the conclave will dwell on the interconnected themes of harnessing the rich biodiversity of the region, the strategic geo-political landscape, inclusive development, and innovation & economic opportunities in the regions.

The leaders will also engage in relevant discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborative actions related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“They will be provided a platform to dialogues and learning to prepare them to become change agents in their communities and contribute to the sustainable development of the region,” according to the concept note of the conclave.

This conclave is organised under the project “Leave No One Behind: Building Pathways for Peace in the North East via Engagement of CSO/Youth Leaders.”

The speakers of the thematic session include Dr Chingmak Chang, Founder Eleutheros Christian Society; Rotheli Khongsit, Secretary, Kongthong Indigenous Agro –Tourism Cooperative Society, Meghalaya; and Narayan Devanathan, Chief Strategy & Communications Officers, NFI