Neichute Doulo, CEO-Founder, The Entrepreneurs Associate (tEA) delivering the keynote address at the 17th NEN Biodiversity Festival at Chizami on March 11. (Photo courtesy: Sholu Movi)
The ‘damaging’ work culture of 10 am to 2 pm is preventing Naga society to move forward
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 11
“The whole problem in Nagaland is government job, not because government job is bad. But because everybody studies in school and colleges to get a government job, it has become bad. Every family prays and fasts for their children to get government job,” remarked Neichute Doulo, CEO-Founder, The Entrepreneurs Associate (tEA) on Wednesday.
He was addressing the 17th Biodiversity Festival being held under the theme, “Agroecology for Community Resilience,” organised by North East Network (NEN) at Hope Hall, NEN Resource Centre at Chizami.
Stating that he is not against government job, he however also pointed out Nagaland is a non-revenue state and has the highest unemployment rate shown in India wherein 16% of workforce is government job.
Highlighting that in India, 1.4% is the ratio of workforce income with a per capita of about 2500 rupees, he said, for Nagaland, it is only 155. Just yesterday, he further noted that, “the government said, we are very happy to tell you that our GDP is now about 65,000 crore.”
However, he said that 65,000 crore is not even the size of Toyota company in India while adding that Toyota company’s size in India is very small. In this regard, he also commented that, “the whole Nagaland dream of what we call development, is limited by government job.”
He said that while government employment is not necessarily bad, he highlighted the issue of time zone differences between India and its neighbouring countries. He noted that even with around 144,000 people employed in the government, work is constrained by official timing. “Because we have to follow the government timing, people wait till 10:00 am to move out of their homes, reach government office by 11.30 am and by 2:00 pm they move out of their offices,” he said.
Perhaps 10% to 15% of government officers are really working hard, he said. However, stating that this has become the standard working system among Nagas, he further elaborated, “In my office, when I ask my staff to come and start working at 9, which means they have to report before 9 and move out of the office only after 5:00 pm, parents have questions for their children because they can’t understand that work needs routine discipline.”
Stating this has become so damaging to the Naga culture, he underscored that, “limiting our dreams to government job is completely disastrous.”
Towards this end, he urged for the need to change mindset while asserting, “Your dreams must be bigger than a government job.” He also noted that nowhere in the world has people had access to land like Nagas, and stated that, “every Naga has land. We have no monarchy. We have no feudal. We have no nobility. But our lands are meaningless because our mindset is only government job, government job.”
Impressing upon that one’s economic planning also shortens because of government job, he also made it clear that, “now, that does not mean that none of you should take a government job. We need good officers, good police officers, good engineers.”
However, he also asserted that, “the mad rush for only government jobs is not helping our society.” Highlighting that many good ideas also get destroyed before they take off, he encouraged the gathering not to give up but to plan big and not plan small dreams. “And if you want to achieve, really believe in yourself,” he expressed.
He also encouraged young people to go back to their villages, and towns. “Do it and you will become successful in 10 years. But don’t think that you will be successful in one year,” he put across.
Highlights of the event included opening remarks by Pamchingla Kumrah, State Coordinator, NEN Nagaland, special address by Bharat Agroecology Fund (BAF), Partners Reflections by Longso, Sr Field Executive, North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), Kiphire and vote of thanks by Ethulhi Tsuhah.
Seeds, Weaves and Stories: North East Network 17th Biodiversity Fest
Initiated as a response to growing ecological and cultural challenges in 2010 in Chizami, Phek, Nagaland, the NEN Biodiversity Festival has since, expanded to other locations across the state, emerging as the key platform for celebrating biocultural diversity, strengthening community-led initiatives and conservation efforts, and fostering dialogue among communities, civil societies, researchers, and policymakers.
The NEN 17th Biodiversity Festival highlights agroecology as a practical response to climate change impacts, using the festival to amplify the stories and voices of women and youth and to demonstrate agroecological principles in action.
With the aim to bring together farming communities from across Nagaland and other parts of India’s Northeast, the festival brings together women farmers and artisans, village institution leaders, youths, community leaders, community-based organisations, NGOs, government departments, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders.
The 17the edition also features “Youth Convening: Facilitate knowledge exchange amongst youth and showcase Youth’s engagement in agroecological initiatives,” Seed exhibitions and Exchange, Biodiversity Exhibitions: Showcasing Nagaland’s rich biodiversity, Farmer’s Market: Strengthening local circular economies and food autonomy.
By centering around community voices, particularly of women and youths, the festival also aims to reinforce the importance of locally grounded, culturally rooted solutions for biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and resilient food systems.
Mention may also be made here that the event collaborators include Nenterprise–Chizami Weaves, and Li Cheh Kro Weavers’ Producer Co. Ltd.
