Temjenmenba, MLA and Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, today underscored the importance of youth empowerment, skill development, and entrepreneurship while inaugurating the MSME Promotion Council India  (MSME PCI) office in Dimapur. He said the opening of the new office would play a vital role in connecting aspiring youth with government schemes and opportunities.

Expressing gratitude that the office had been established in Dimapur, Temjenmenba said many young people would now be able to access central schemes more easily. “Our government employment sector, as we all know, is almost saturated. The Government of Nagaland has therefore ventured into capturing the energy and initiative of our youth through different departments and programmes,” he said, pointing to initiatives in skill development, technical education, and training.

“We have to find ways and means to see that our younger generations are somehow kept occupied with various fields of employment,” he stressed.

The Advisor highlighted the demographic advantage of India, where the majority of the population is under 35 years of age, a reality reflected in Nagaland as well. He noted that the Gen Z generation—born between 1997 and 2012—is adaptive, innovative, entrepreneurial, and technologically driven.

“This is the chunk of population which will take us to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.If our vision of a developed nation by the year 2047 is to be realized this is the group of people who are going to lead the country tomorrow…and at this juncture, we need to do a lot of interventions in various areas,” the Advisor said.

Calling ventures like the MSME PCI “crucial bridges” between the youth and the government, Temjenmenba said that despite the government’s efforts to attract private investments, challenges such as the State’s unique landholding system remain.

“Today the government is trying its best to attract investment from private sector as well as the other PSUs. But because of our unique land holding systems, there are certain hiccups along the way. The government is trying to execute its best to iron out this problem,” he said, adding, “The very idea behind construction of the foothill roads is to connect special economic zones and encourage investment from outside. But without entities like the MSME PCI, it will be difficult for the government alone to meet the aspirations of our youth,” he said.

Congratulating the MSME PCI for opening its Dimapur branch and expanding across districts, he said such institutions would help build bridges between entrepreneurial youth, women, and marginalized sections with government schemes. “I encourage the young…the youth to take opportunity of the schemes that the Government of India is giving through MDME PSI Dimapur,” he said and urged the youths to learn how to avail schemes, and start ventures that are self-sustaining and employment-generating.

Temjenmenba also urged young people to move beyond a farming economy and envision an entrepreneurial society that harnesses technology and global connectivity. “The world has become small today through technological developments. Let us create a successful society for ourselves, where our youth can dream big and achieve beyond boundaries,” he said.

He concluded by congratulating the MSME PCI team in Dimapur and expressed hope that the office would serve as a catalyst for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.

Speaking as special guest, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang, called upon the youth of Nagaland to shed their overdependence on white-collar jobs and instead embrace entrepreneurship as a viable path to building both personal success and the State’s economy.

Congratulating the MSME PCI  for setting up its new office in Dimapur, Dr Chang said the initiative would provide much-needed support and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Naga people are not lazy; we are hard-working. But many of our youngsters prefer to look only for white-collar jobs. The reality is that not every educated person can be absorbed into government service. We must explore alternative options, and MSMEs are one of the most promising,” he said.

The DC stressed that entrepreneurship, backed by government schemes and institutional support, could play a vital role in improving Nagaland’s economy. Referring to State and Central programmes such as the Chief Minister’s Micro-Finance Scheme and other subsidy-based initiatives, he cautioned young people against misusing such opportunities.

“Many take loans only for the subsidy portion and ignore repayment. Entrepreneurship cannot survive on subsidies alone. Unless you commit to hard work and proper repayment, such ventures will fail,” he warned.

Dr. Chang highlighted the untapped potential of Nagaland’s agricultural resources and encouraged local youth to channel their energy into this sector. He pointed out that many investors from outside the State were already coming in to seize opportunities that local entrepreneurs were overlooking. “Nagaland is contemplating declaring Special Development Zones. With Dimapur at its centre, this will create even more opportunities for investment and growth. Small enterprises can grow into large ones if we make use of this moment,” he said.

The DC also stressed the importance of financial literacy and discipline in entrepreneurship, noting that banks in Dimapur were willing to extend loans but required applicants to meet certain criteria. “We need expertise and seriousness among our youth to take full advantage of these opportunities,” he observed.

He urged the MSME-PCI to extend its services beyond Dimapur to remote districts, where many aspiring entrepreneurs are unable to access schemes due to lack of awareness. “If these opportunities reach rural and remote areas, it will significantly contribute to strengthening the State’s economy,” he said.

Dr Chang appealed to the youth of Nagaland to register with the MSME-DCI office and actively participate in entrepreneurship programs. “Avail these opportunities, learn, and be guided to achieve your goals in entrepreneurship. This is the way forward for the economic development of Nagaland,” he stated.

Guest of Honour, Chief Executive Officer of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Thungchanbemo Tungoe, underscored the pivotal role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in building India’s economy, describing them as the “backbone of the nation” and a source of both livelihood and hope.

Calling the occasion “not just the opening of an office but the opening of opportunities,” Tungoe said the establishment of the MSME-DCI branch in Dimapur would go a long way in nurturing local entrepreneurship. “It is not about big business houses or big entrepreneurs. It is the micro, small and medium enterprises that create jobs, sustain families, and turn small ideas into big successes. They are the real strength of our nation’s economy,” he stressed.

Highlighting the abundance of talent and resources in Nagaland, the CEO expressed confidence that the new office would provide young people and budding entrepreneurs with the necessary guidance and skills to move forward.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

“Here in Nagaland, we are blessed with so many talented people. With this office in Dimapur, I am sure it will go a long way in helping our people develop a sense of entrepreneurship and the skills needed by our district and our State,” he said.

Tungoe urged the new and aspiring entrepreneurs to nurture ambition while remaining grounded. “You must start with a dream. Dream to go forward. At the same time, you must start small, but aim high. Your aims should be very high,” he said, emphasizing that determination and passion were as important as institutional support. “This office will definitely help you, but that spark must come from your own determination,” he added.

Tungoe envisioned the new MSME-PCI office becoming a “lighthouse of hope and prosperity” for Dimapur and Nagaland as a whole. He also assured that the Dimapur Municipal Council and MSME stakeholders would collaborate to spread awareness and extend support to budding entrepreneurs across the district.

The objective of MSME Promotion Council India (MSME PCI) is to provide information to people about cottage, micro and small scale industries under the guidelines of “MSME”, promote “MAKE IN INDIA” scheme of Government of India, provide information about loans under MSME schemes and providing assistance to small traders so that they can expand their business.

It also aims in providing assistance in their project report along with encouraging them to set up new industries and providing loans from banks, buying products from the manufacturer itself and promoting exports, establishing small units in rural areas in the country in the coming time so that rural migration can be stopped, and help the farmers in the agriculture sector, among others.