ITANAGAR, 14 Oct: Former ANSU spokesperson and social worker Toko Teki exhorted youth to prioritize education along with practical skills to become producers rather than mere consumers.
Addressing the golden jubilee celebration of the All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) at IG Park here on Wednesday, Teki said 50 years of ANYA is not only a celebration of its history but also of the commitment, courage and collective spirit of youth, who believed they could help shape the future of the community.
He said ANYA was established in 1976 at Subansiri Hall, Ziro, and paid tribute to late Neelam Taram, the first president, and Kamin Ringu, the general secretary, besides team led by Tadar Tang in 1978, and elders who guided the organization.
Outlining the vision for the next 50 years, Teki said ANYA should prepare the youth to be educated, skilled, economically independent, proud of their identity, and ready to work with all communities for a peaceful and prosperous Arunachal Pradesh.
Stating that education remains the foundation of social and economic progress, he said: "We must encourage every child to complete schooling and support young people to pursue higher education, professional courses, research and public service. At the same time, we should recognize that a certificate alone does not guarantee success. You need discipline, creativity, problem-solving ability and the confidence to apply what they learn."
Noting that government service are limited, he said success should be broadened to include entrepreneurships, where youth establish enterprises, produces useful product, manages tourism services, creates jobs, thus contributing directly to the development of the state.
He called upon the youth to become producers rather than consumers.
"We should not depend only on buying products made elsewhere," he said stating that the state has land, natural resources, creativity and human potential to produce more of what our people and markets need.
Highlighting the opportunities in horticulture sector, Teki said the state's climate can support a range of fruits, spices and other high-value crops, but focus should also must also given in developing skills in grading, processing, packaging, storage, branding, transport and marketing.
"Bamboo is another area with substantial potential. It can support traditional crafts as well as contemporary products for homes, construction, furniture, packaging, which with design, quality control, suitable tools and market knowledge can become sustainable businesses.
Food processing, local crafts, eco-tourism, homestays, nature-based experiences and other services can also generate livelihoods, he said.
Teki emphasized the need to learn both hard and soft skills, like cultivation, nursery management, processing, bamboo craftsmanship, product design, equipment operation, quality control, accounting and business operations would help turn an idea or a raw material into a reliable product or service. Skill development should therefore be connected to real opportunities, he said
"Training should include practical experience, exposure to successful enterprises, mentorship, market linkages and guidance on accessing finance and government support. The aim should not be merely to issue certificates, but to help young people gain competence, secure livelihoods and create employment for others," he said.
On culture and unity, he said while preserving Nyishi language, culture and heritage, youth should respect other tribes, as Arunachal's diversity is its strength and its future lies in cooperation, not division.
Proposing a practical agenda for the next chapter, Teki said ANYA should take up student mentoring, career guidance, skill training, entrepreneurship promotion in horticulture, food processing and bamboo products, besides helping youth find mentors, market information and encouraging local language use and community service.
He said efforts need not begin on a large scale and success should be measured by the skills gained, livelihoods strengthened, enterprises created, jobs generated and relationships built.
"Let us build a generation that is educated but also capable, proud of its roots but open to learning, skilled in production and confident in marketing, ambitious for itself and responsible towards society," Teki said and called upon youth to create opportunities, take horticultural produce and bamboo products to wider markets, build dignified livelihoods and work together for a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous state.
