Advisor for Industries and Commerce and Dimapur-III MLA, Hekani Jakhalu has urged young people to look beyond conventional government employment and explore entrepreneurship, skill development, self-employment and opportunities in the private sector, stressing that individual initiative, hard work and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone are essential for building sustainable livelihoods.
She was speaking at the inauguration of a futsal tournament-cum-job and career fair organised by the 3 Dimapur-III Assembly Constituency NPF Youth at Toluvi.
Jakhalu said the initiative was aimed not only at promoting sports but also at connecting young people with career guidance, training and employment opportunities. She thanked the youth team led by Hokivi Chophy for organising the programme, noting that the initiative was largely driven and funded by young people themselves. She also acknowledged her office team for supporting the event, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-held dream to create meaningful opportunities for the constituency’s youth.
She said the futsal tournament, which attracted 34 teams, was designed to bring young people together and draw their attention to the larger purpose of the programme—the job and career fair. Around 10 to 12 organisations and government departments had been brought together to provide information on training, skill development, employment and self-employment opportunities, she informed.
Encouraging participants to visit the stalls and explore the services available, Jakhalu urged them to share the information with friends, neighbours and other young people who could benefit from the initiative.
A medical camp was also organised alongside the event, offering basic health check-ups and blood tests, and she encouraged the youth to make use of the facility.
Speaking about her responsibilities as the elected representative of Dimapur-III, Jakhalu said her duty was to work for the welfare and development of all constituents, irrespective of whether they had voted for her.
She said the government had entrusted her with the Industries and Commerce portfolio, under which the department had been conducting workshops, training programmes and awareness initiatives across Nagaland to encourage entrepreneurship and support aspiring business owners.
Highlighting the limitations of relying solely on government employment, Jakhalu observed that government jobs could not accommodate the aspirations of the state’s growing number of educated young people. With recruitment opportunities becoming increasingly constrained, she said young people needed to recognise the changing employment landscape and consider alternative career paths.
Expressing concern over highly educated candidates aspiring only for entry-level government positions, she urged the youth to identify their skills, explore their potential and consider opportunities across different sectors rather than restricting themselves to conventional employment.
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“Only you can help yourself. We will help, we can support you, we can guide you, we can mentor you. But if that fire in the belly is not there in you, then nobody can help you,” she said, emphasising that government and institutional support must be matched by personal initiative and determination.
As Advisor for Industries and Commerce, Jakhalu highlighted the department’s efforts to promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurship and locally manufactured products. She said greater emphasis was being placed on developing and branding “Made in Nagaland” products to help them reach wider markets and compete beyond the state.
She encouraged young people with business ideas to seek guidance and mentorship from organisations working in the entrepreneurship sector, including YouthNet, which she founded 20 years ago, and other support institutions. She clarified that such assistance should be viewed in terms of guidance, mentoring and access to opportunities rather than expectations of direct financial handouts.
Drawing from her own political journey, Jakhalu said her election as an MLA had been preceded by 15 years of experience and preparation, underscoring that success required sustained effort, patience and commitment.
She also acknowledged the contribution of the constituency’s youth in organising programmes and supporting her political journey, describing their initiative and dedication as a source of encouragement.
Jakhalu urged young people to take greater responsibility for their livelihoods, acquire relevant skills and make effective use of available opportunities. She expressed hope that the futsal tournament and career fair would mark a new beginning for participants by encouraging them to move beyond conventional employment expectations and work towards building independent and sustainable futures.
In his short speech, NPF Dimapur Division president, Vihoshe Awomi has called for greater unity among the people of Dimapur-III Assembly Constituency, stressing that sports can serve as an important platform for strengthening relationships, promoting cooperation and bridging communication gaps within society and the party ahead of the 2028 elections.
He said political parties should not restrict themselves to party-related activities but should also work for society, serve the public and organise programmes that bring people together.
Awomi appreciated the Dimapur-III NPF youth, led by its president Hokivi Chishi, for organising the tournament with the initiative and support of MLA and Advisor Hekani Jakhalu, describing the event as a positive step towards community engagement.
He said the objective of organising sports activities should go beyond winning or losing, as such events provide opportunities for people to build unity, strengthen communication and develop mutual understanding.
Noting that 34 teams were participating in the tournament, he expressed satisfaction over the large turnout and the initiative taken by the organisers.
Addressing the participating teams, Awomi emphasised the importance of discipline, sportsmanship and a positive attitude. He said that while every competition would have only one winner, those who emerged victorious should remain humble, while those who did not win should not be discouraged.
Instead, he urged participants to learn from the experience, remain optimistic and continue striving for success in future competitions.
Turning to political matters, the NPF Dimapur Division president praised Jakhalu for the development initiatives undertaken in Dimapur-III, stating that her efforts had brought greater activity and public participation to the constituency.
He described the gathering itself as an example of how leadership and community involvement could bring people together, expressing appreciation for Jakhalu’s initiative in creating such a platform.
Awomi also urged party leaders and workers to use the event as an opportunity to identify communication gaps among party units and different areas, work towards resolving them and strengthen coordination ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
“ We are already strong, but we need to become even stronger as we step forward for the 2028 elections,” he said, calling upon party members to cooperate and remain united.
