Tremendous Potentiality Among Youth of North East: Sonowal

Kohima, May 15 : Union minister of state (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said there is tremendous potentiality among the youth of the northeastern region in every field, but due to lack of skill development, the potentialities are not shining.

"The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has therefore taken up Skill Development Scheme throughout the country and appealed to the people of the northeast region to take advantage of the scheme to develop their skills in every field," Sonowal said, addressing the 26th General Conference of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) at Khonoma village, 24km in Western Angami Region of the state capital here.

The Minister recalled sporting icons from the northeast, including Olympian footballer Dr T Ao and Olympian archer Chekrovolu Swuro of Nagaland, among others.

He informed that he has already instructed the office of the Sports Authority of India to take up Skill Development Scheme in the region for the sportsmen to improve their ability and talents.

He further assured all possible help for the construction of multi-disciplinary sports project at Dimapur.

Sonowal also recalled the history of Khonoma, which was the first village of Nagaland to fight and resist the British.

Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang, in his address, maintained that without solution to the Naga political issue, there will be no development in the state.

He said the state has potential in many areas but investors are not willing to come amid so many insurgent and other extortionist groups.

Zeliang said that the people of Nagaland also cannot bear the burden of so many insurgent groups and appealed all to come forward to join hands with the state government to press the Centre to resolve the Naga political problem.

Once that is done, it will open developmental activities for all and investors will also come without fear, he said.

Zeliang appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for various schemes for the needy sections of the society and the Skill Development Scheme, which stresses the need for creating a large pool of skilled work force that would turn the country into a "Skilled India" and would help in realising his slogan "Make in India".

He also challenged the younger generation to become skilled work force so as to do away with outsiders coming into the state and doing the skilled works.