Oriental College Kohima celebrated International Youth Day on August 12, 2024, in its campus, under the theme, “Empowering Youths through traditional practices.” Mele Pucho, Proprietor of Symphony School of Music, President of NE Beauty pageant Organisation, Nagaland representative for RSL Music Exam UK graced the event as the guest speaker.

The objective of the program was to empower youths by allowing them to realise their potentials, develop skills and empower them to shape their own destinies and embrace a future filled with opportunities.

The program was split in two sessions, where in Session-1, Pucho addressed the students. In his speech, Pucho mentioned the importance of Skill development among the youths which is vital for making a living, as government jobs are already saturated.

Therefore, alongside education one must master any skills which can later be taken up as a profession. He reiterated on “Dignity of Labour” and to take up any work no matter how small. “Success,” he mentioned, “comes from hard work.”

Unemployment is also by choice, therefore, he encouraged the students not to stay idle and be a liability in the family and society, rather to be an asset by developing their skills and taking up any opportunity. In his concluding speech, he quoted a verse from the Bible, 2 Thessalonian 3:10 which says ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

Session-2 focused on the traditional practices and skills. The objective of this session was to inculcate in the students the importance of keeping our skills alive. Students were trained on skills such as weaving, handloom and handicrafts.

Lanu Pongen, a renowned wood sculptor and Sekui, who is well established in bamboo crafts graced the second session as the resource persons. The resource persons for handicrafts for weaving were; Kikruneinuo Kire, Dziesevonuo Kire & Dziese Khrienuo Yiese who were all professional weavers from Kohima Village.