Kohima, May 19 : Students sell vegetables, tea or even pull rickshaws and shine shoes at Dimapur market under a youth movement in Nagaland promoting work ethics and dignity of labour.
The movement, Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS), Dimapur has come a long way in its 15 years of existence and organises ‘A Day of Earning’ programme twice a month on Saturdays for students.
“Sometimes we gather in teams to clean dirty public areas, hospital compounds, bus stations and rehabilitation centres,” said Sentila, a Master of Theology student at OTS.
Another youth movement, True Love Waits (TLW), launched by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in February 2005, promotes abstinence till marriage by administering pledges.
Although some were sceptical about the campaign, NBCC youth leaders believe that this does not contradict the official line of battle against HIV/AIDS and instead complements it.
Yet another youth organisation, YouthNet, a network of young professionals, has been creating awareness about positive attitude, rational thinking, employment, dignity of labour, Right to Information, electoral reforms and assertive actions against government apathy.
YouthNet tries to usher in change, enabling the Naga youth to acquire life skills and become positive, rational, productive, responsible and contributing members of society. It was launched by a woman, Hekani Jakhalu, who gave up a legal career in Delhi to do something for the youth of her State.
The YES (Youth Employment Summit) campaign is a decade-old youth movement which was first initiated in Egypt in 2002 jointly by former US president Bill Clinton and the Egyptian president, said Theja Meru, a member of YouthNet and a musician.
Besides contributing to government programmes, the YouthNet also launched awareness campaign on Right to Information Act throughout Nagaland, specifically targeting college and university students.
During the February Assembly election, YouthNet members collected disclosure of assets of all candidates from the districts and made them known to voters under its campaign, ‘Know Your Candidate’.
PTI
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