Rural Development & SIRD Minister, Metsübo Jamir on July 31 inaugurated the newly constructed office building of the Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) at Arkong Ward, Mokokchung Town.
The inaugural programme was attended by Member of Parliament, Supongmeren Jamir, Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS, along with senior government officials, civil societies, community leaders, representatives of various organisations, student leaders, and other distinguished guests.
Metsübo Jamir said education should empower young people to become self-reliant and not create a sense of entitlement.
Urging the younger generation to take responsibility for their future, he said, “Education should be empowerment, not entitlement,” and called on the Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM) to make its newly inaugurated office “a building of visionary ideas and leadership.”
Metsübo said Ongpangkong has always been known for its openness and hospitality, welcoming people from different communities and providing space for others to grow. He urged the community not to become proud of the advantages it enjoys, but to continue seeking wisdom and living with humility.
Referring to the newly inaugurated office, he said the organisation could have had the building much earlier, but patience and perseverance had guided the process. He encouraged the organisation to use the office as a place where ideas are nurtured and where future leaders are prepared to meet the challenges of a changing world.
Speaking on education, he said many young people today obtain degrees but still expect others, including their parents or influential persons, to secure jobs for them. He said such a mindset defeats the purpose of education, which is to equip individuals to stand on their own.
He also said parents share part of the responsibility by assuring their children that employment would be arranged for them instead of encouraging them to become independent. According to him, confusing empowerment with entitlement has become one of the major challenges facing society today.
Drawing an example from his native village of Longsa, Metsübo said many elderly parents above the age of 65 continue working in the paddy fields, while some educated youths remain unemployed at home, spending their time on mobile phones and games without recognising the sacrifices their parents made for their education. He urged young people to honour their parents by becoming responsible and self-reliant.
He further said there should be no shame in taking up manual labour or any form of honest work, adding that the younger generation should seize the opportunities available in the present era. Referring to the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), he cautioned that degrees alone would no longer be enough and called on youths to acquire practical knowledge, skills and the ability to think independently.
Concluding his address, Metsübo said the new OKM office should serve as “a building of visionary ideas and leadership” that would guide the organisation and future generations.
Member of Parliament, Supongmeren Jamir recalled serving as the Finance Secretary of the Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang during its Silver Jubilee celebration in 1989 and expressed happiness at witnessing the organisation’s continued growth.
He said the progress achieved by Ongpangkong over the years was the result of the collective blessings, support and contributions of its people. Stressing that academic qualifications alone do not guarantee success, he said education must be accompanied by hard work, discipline and dedication to create opportunities for oneself.
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Referring to the increasing use of artificial intelligence, Supongmeren cautioned the younger generation against becoming overly dependent on technology, stating, “Your brain is not AI, and AI is not your brain.” He encouraged students and youths to develop their own abilities, remain focused and continue working hard to achieve success.
Akum Senpo Jamir, Convenor of the OKM Building Committee, said the newly inaugurated Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM) office building was realised after 22 years through the collective contributions of the citizens of Ongpangkong, without placing any financial burden on the student community.
He said the idea of constructing an OKM office was conceived during the OKM Conference held at Longmisa Village in 2003 under the leadership of O. Tino Longkumer, where a resolution was unanimously adopted to establish a permanent office for the organisation.
Jamir said the project was delayed for several years due to a land boundary dispute involving the organisation. Following the settlement of the issue, a building committee was constituted in 2023, with him serving as the convenor.
He said the committee resolved not to burden students or raise funds through lotteries, calendars or similar means. Instead, it sought voluntary contributions from former OKM leaders, well-wishers, families and members of the Ongpangkong community.
Acknowledging the support of the four legislators representing Ongpangkong and the people of the region, Jamir said their contributions made the project possible. He also informed that the building was designed by Er Imlisunep Phillip, Principal of ITI.
Expressing gratitude to all donors and well-wishers, Jamir said the names of contributors would be acknowledged in future publications and expressed hope that the new office would serve as a platform for the organisation’s growth and future activities.
Ongpangkong Conference President Alemtoshi Imsong Tatar, Asangtila, President Ongpangkong Women Conference, Lanulemba Longchar, President, Ao Students Conference and Chairman Arkong Ward council, delivered brief exhortations while Tongpangmangyang Kichu President Ongpangkong Students Conference delivered the welcome address.
Rev Supongchiten, Pastor of Longsa Baptist Church pronounced the invocation. Aliba Students’ Union presented ‘OKM theme song’, while Chuchuyimpang Kaketshir Telongjem presented a special song. Lanuakum Jamir Convenor, Sanen Luden OKM delivered the vote of thanks.
Established in 1964, the Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) is an active apex student organisations in the Ongpangkong range, working for the educational, social, and developmental interests of students and the community.
