Salome Taka, Living her Dream Job

To replay a scene that took place 9 years ago, Salome Taka was waiting for the local train to reach an Interview venue when she received a call from her dream PR Agency, with whom she had an interview a week ago.  They were offering her a job!

“On a very hot May afternoon in Hyderabad, towards the end of my Master’s course, I finally received the official tag of ‘PR Professional’ at a railway platform! And I have never once looked back!” These words describe a very defining moment in the life of Salome Taka, who is currently the Associate Director at South East Asia’s largest PR Firm.

She rose to her prestigious position from a very humble beginning as a fresher. But in less than 2 years, she was already managing a team and further headed a department in less than 4 years. Remarkably, she has also had 6 promotions in the last 9 years, which only goes on to prove how well she has excelled in the field she has chosen.

The reason why she chose to be in this field, as she says, is because, it had the scope of letting her pursue the many interests -writing, speaking, strategizing, negotiating, Ideation etc, she had in the field of Communications. Notably, she has also had the privilege of pursuing and exploring these interests by working for Brands like Mercedes Benz, Google, Manchester United, Airtel, Ebay, AXN India, Atletico Madrid, Nokia, AHM – India’s 2^nd largest Marathon just to name a few.

However, starting out as a fresher came with its own share of challenges. Because, in her words, “I had to learn everything and I was apprehensive of making mistakes that people would not forget! I realised in my 1^st week at work that this is one industry that is hectic and erratic and has no fixed hours. I had no weekend breaks for the first 3 months. Your social life takes a hard hit because a PR Person has to be available 24 x7 and it is an added responsibility if one has a client that is Crises prone.”

“But the opportunities in hand in the long run and the passion for this career path I had chosen was a huge driving force to not give up. It has not been easy but it has not been impossible to reach where I am today – and that is such a huge source of happiness”, she adds with contentment. 

She confesses that, “I have always wanted to be in the field of Communications for as long as I can remember.” Clearly, the likes of Journalism, PR, Advertising, Events, Broadcast, Documentaries, Sports Agent, Marital Counsellor  are her areas of interest. But it was also necessary for her to focus on one interest professionally, although the different interests listed above all came under one umbrella (Communications).

‘So I invested lot of time talking to people involved in similar professions, read books online and offline, took those fun-but-sometimes-silly-‘which career should you choose’ quiz….’ She says, even as she recalls being exposed to many of her own strengths (networking, flexibility, detail oriented, effective communicator) and weaknesses (impatient, very impatient, technically challenged). This, she explains, “helped me narrow down on a Career prospect that would allow me to use my plus points extensively. This is why I strongly endorse everyone I meet to be open to feedbacks and suggestions they may have on you and to always ask a question, however silly it may seem, if in doubt. The responses you receive may just help you find a career path as it did for me! Importantly I decided to pursue Public Relations as it gave me the window to involve bits of all the interests I have in the Communications industry.”

Salome with her friends in Hyderabad

Looking back, she would term “the unbelievable scope to keep learning” as the most rewarding phase in her profession. “I have been in this industry for 9 years and I am still learning because it is an ever evolving industry that is moving extremely fast. To move and be in sync with reality, one needs to grab the opportunity to learn. The other and most important aspect has been the opportunity I have to work with people across all levels (Junior, Senior) in a cross cultural setting. In such a platform, I have had no choice but to work very hard in cultivating my patience with people and situations in hand. And the ability to being a more patient person has helped me personally too.” She generously shares.

Salome Taka, who describes herself as- “Proud Aunt. Fierce Football Follower. Wannabe Chef. Musically Challenged. CR7 Loyalist. Dessert-holic. Believer. Incurable Optimist” is eternally grateful to her mother.

Salome with her family

The following lines explain why her mother is truly special- “Her whole life has been dedicated to ensuring we were brought up in a family-friendly home and that we received all the attention required. She married young, decided not to pursue higher studies, missed her siblings’ weddings and other family get-togethers as we became her priority. She has been that constant unwavering support for my Dad and his profession. My mother has never been able to participate in conversations revolving around ‘Santa Barbara’ or ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ because the shows timings clashed with her children’s arrival from school. And she chose us over the decades most happening TV shows. Her personal sacrifices, and not forgetting Dad, has encouraged me and my brother to aim for the best and achieve those – this has been our way of saying ‘thank you’”

Apart from a strong supportive family, what does it take to make it Big? Salome Taka has seemingly lived by these rules- “Start early – explore who you want to be professionally when you are still a student. This will give you plenty of time to pursue your dream or to move tracks quickly if you realise your passion lies elsewhere. Mingle and network- do not always look for people ‘from my hometown’. Connect with people from different cultures and it will open up a world of opportunities and possibilities. Ask a silly question, always – If your doubts are cleared, no question is too silly. Love God – If you do this, you are already on the right track.”

And well, it has perfectly worked out for her. The alumna of Patkai Christian College and Hyderabad Central University, says that, “To come back home and share our knowledge for growth is definitely a yes…. it is just a matter of When.” She also strongly feels that, “currently, the important aspect is to contribute and be a positive influence wherever we may be. I also like to believe that working outside the State is a great platform for others to understand and realise that there is talent and potential amongst the Nagas as working professionals – a departure from us being seen as just students coming out to cities to study.”

With the liberty to dream big, in the near future, she hopes “to work as a part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Social Media Communications Team which can do so much better than its current offerings for the Global fan; Help fight food poverty by volunteering at a Non-Profit; Get married; Find time to travel and soak in different cultures; And many, many, many more!”

           

A Hotelier’s Story

Kethoyie Yhome

26 year old, Kethoyie-ü Yhome comes across as a sensible young lady, who values honesty and sees herself as a strict woman when it comes to work, but is loving and caring otherwise. Born and brought up in Kohima, she grew up in a very big family as she puts it, and had multiple ambitions like any other kids her age while growing up.

She received her early education from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Kohima and went on to study in St. John Higher Secondary School, Shillong before pursuing a course of her choice and earned a B.Sc degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from IHM Chennai. This, ultimately defining her dream to be a hotelier one day.

She believes it was part of God’s plan for her to take up Hotel Management because she had no idea what a hotelier was, as a kid. But her interest for the profession began to show when she was in high school, eventually helping her decide when she sat for JEE for Hotel Management, which, she got through, and then, to find herself in one of the top most institutes of hotel management in India.

Following her graduation, she worked with the reputed Oberoi Group of Hotels and Resorts for one and half years, and also at the Regus Business Centre for a little over 2 years, before she decided to leave the city life and come home to Nagaland. This decision came about as her earnest desire to train and work with our people, and also share with them, whatever she has learned while being away.

One could say, she has extensively generated her knowledge about management while she served at Hotel Vivor, which is part of Niathu Group of Hotels and Resorts in Nagaland, for a period of 30 months. She was the General Manager at the hotel.

Looking at this experience, she confides that the most challenging part of her job was enabling the employees to maintain a professional work culture, which, she adds, is very challenging especially for Naga people. But apart from that, she has greatly enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life, while making special mention of the recent visit of Her Royal Highness of Thailand  to Nagaland, who stayed at Hotel Vivor, Kohima.

Having completed a milestone of 6 good years in the industry, Kethoyie-ü Yhome feels happy and wonderful, recalling her great experiences as a hotelier. But of course, she says, “the hardships I went through are not to be forgotten”, because she explains that those hardships are responsible towards making who she is today.

To be in a profession like hers, she also shares, requires qualities such as punctuality, sincerity, hard work and passion. These are the most important qualities to be in this profession, she enlightens.

In the meantime, she found it rewarding to see her employees working under her in a very professional manner. ‘Watching them, it was fulfilling to know that coming back to Nagaland was not a waste’, she adds with contentment.

Kethoyie-ü Yhome is also an entrepreneur, who has invested in a garment shop at High School Junction under the banner, “Blue Bird”. She started this venture very recently and is exclusively meant for ladies. All the products are imported from Bangkok, and she looks forward to expanding it in the near future.

With enriching experiences of being a hotelier to share, the charming lady, when not working, is trying out her own cuisines, listening to music or catching a movie. She also likes spending time with her family and playing with her two little nephews when not occupied with work.

The young hotelier has covered miles but truly, it isn’t without hard work and struggles that one reaches that far; and her few words of advice to the young people would be- “Stay humble, do not be ashamed and be ready to do any work; be faithful to yourself and above all, put God in the first place, in your life.”

MAD Team: Walking the Talk

Sometimes, it takes just a small gesture of kindness to spark a revolution, that would go on to impact the lives of many common men. Founders of MAD, Mele Pucho and Chiset Disong are ardent believers of change that can come through positive work and love for others.

The young duo were exceptionally moved by the sight of a Naga mother who was helplessly seeking assistance of a meager amount of Rs. 200 from a non-Naga tailor, so she could pay her son’s school fees. Eventually, it was them who happily offered her the money, which she accepted with profound gratitude; her eyes filled with tears, and all she could say at that moment was a whisper of, “May our God Lord bless you.”

This particular incident has been greatly instrumental in challenging them to start MAD in October 2010, which stands for, “Making A Difference.” “We realised that there are many of our own brothers and sisters who are struggling so much in life and we need to reach out to them in whatever way possible and lend a helping hand”, they express.

“Another reason behind this team is to contribute in small ways to try and beautify our land especially Kohima town. we are all very tired of the kind of roads we travel everyday. There are no proper dustbins, no proper clean toilets for public, no safe drinking water facility for free, no proper place to hang out and rest peacefully. The only thing we have is lots and lots of DUST. We are not saying we can achieve to provide all this things but we believe whatever small work we do for our society can bring a lot of change which is much needed”, they further press on.

It is, in short, a team that walks the talk in bringing about a few positive change in our society. They recognize that everybody has a desire to bring change and help others but  also aware that it becomes difficult on one’s own ability, the whole idea is to bring people together who has a desire to help others and  contribute to the society. It functions with a minimum contribution of Rs. 50 from its members every month, and use the money to spread some good deeds in our land especially targeting Kohima, to begin with. 

Towards this endeavor, they explain, “most of us spend money unnecessarily when we  have. To spend 100 Rupees in a day is not a big thing anymore for most of us but at the same time there are a lot of people who work very hard to earn that 100 Rupees everyday, not to spend that money for themselves but to take care of their families. Today our society is facing a lot of problems and there are lots of good works that we can do but we still keep on depending on the Government, hoping and praying that something good will happen but it’s high time we wake up from our sleep and take care of our society.”

The Team also has a desire to beautify our small town in whatever way possible even as they speak their minds when they say, “we believe that change is only possible if we all take the responsibility to contribute in small or big ways. We believe and practice the saying, ‘Action speaks louder than words’.”

Action, indeed speaks louder than words and they have definitely walked their talks, evident from what they have achieved so far. Just to list a few, the MAD team organized a one day seminar called the Initiative of Change in February 2014 at Zubza where people, both young and old from Nagaland, Australia, Lebanon, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, etc came together to interact and discuss social issues and how to bring change and impact our society.

The Team also donated 15 Garden Umbrellas to our Naga mothers who sell vegetables at BOC with the prime objective of providing shelter as well as beautify the market place, and also contributed clothes and furniture to Tabitha Enabling school (a school for differently abled children).

And yet, it’s never easy to work together as a team, even as they confess that in a place like Kohima where corruption is the biggest problem, it’s really a big challenge to work for change. “Everyone is so caught up in their own world  trying to be  richer and richer every minute that we have all forgotten to check the things that need to be taken care of. We all talk about change but sadly very few walk the talk”, they rightly point out.  

However, as a team, they strive to reach out to as many young people as they can to let them know that change begins from oneself. “On the other hand we want to create an awareness of our  responsibility as a youth in society. It has never been so easy to reach out to all our youths but we are taking one step at a time. We hope that everyone will come forward to play their own role to bring change in our society”, they express with optimism.

CORE TEAM MEMBERS ~

Mele Pucho: Proprietor of ‘Symphony School of Music/ Symphony School of Rock’

Chiset Disong: Proprietor of ‘Pinks and Blues’

Avino Tase: Kohima Doordarshan

Ketoriavi Sakhrie: Teacher

Lichan Humtsoe: Government Servant

Apong: Student

Vira: Entrepreneur

ADVISORS~

Theja Meru

Ayieno Kechü

“Use your imagination, sky is the limit"~ Cynthia Kolakhe

“I love what I do and I do what I love” is Cynthia Kolakhe’s bold statement of deriving happiness and fulfillment from her occupation even as she firmly professes, “Art is what I love and when you love doing what you do, you get the satisfaction”.

Cynthia’s association with Art dates back to her childhood, although she had not realized then, that one day she would become an artist. “I would draw on the walls, on the papers, and wherever there is empty space”, she recalls. The artist in her was already at work then, but it wasn’t until she graduated from the College of Art, New Delhi, prior to receiving a one year diploma course in 3D animation from Picasso Digital Media, Delhi that her works received more accolades.

Her artworks and designs have captured the attention of big media houses like the Hindustan Times, Asian Age, Asian News International, magazines and newspapers when she held an exclusive exhibition at Nagaland House, New Delhi over a year back. By now, she can pride in having her works being exhibited in quite a few countries including India, the United States of America and Hong Kong. She has also held shows for the University Evangelical Fellowship, the Kingdom International where she won the first prize for the best Painting, besides a solo show at Vasant Continental Hotel, Delhi, and Urban Naga Fashion Show in Kohima to name a few. 

It is clear that everything makes her want to sketch when she confesses that, “I feel like sketching, whether it is raining or sunny with a little music in the background.” “Music drives me to paint”, she further affirms.

Cynthia Kolakhe will soon be exhibiting her designs in Bhutan this month with Among Longkumer, at the Indo Bhutan Exhibition. One may find her engrossed mostly in her world of art, but when she is not painting, she expresses, “I am a social networking freak, I explore, check out what's new, what's in…fashion, art, design etc and I don't ever miss to check Manish Arora's latest collection.”

Ask her about her most fulfilling moment in her profession and without any second thoughts, she is quick to say that, she does what she loves to do, which is obviously Art. This, she says, she has enjoyed “from the moment I started painting till today.” 

She has also been able to develop her own brand under the banner, “Urban Naga”, which is best explained in her words, “we live in a modern world.” She continues to paint in the modern art form using the mediums of charcoal, oil, fabric on canvas, techno art, etc, but she is definitely looking at bridging the gap between folk and urban.

Leaving a few thoughts for her fellow artists before signing off, she says, “Don't ever regret being an artist because we can still change and create the world into a beautiful place to live in, proclaim a good news or can create an alternate creative world through painting. Use your imagination, the sky is the limit".

‘You have to work hard & believe in yourself’ :Hokaito Zhimomi

A National Media once described him as a Cricketer “known for his nippy left-arm fast bowling and for his right-handed big hitting prowess…a cricket coach’s ideal model when it comes to athleticism and smart fielding skills.”

Hokaito Zhimomi has come a very long way from where he first began, taking the road less travelled. When most people chose to pursue higher academic degrees, he decided to play cricket. What’s more, he excelled, bringing the map of Nagaland into the field.

By now, he has lost count of the matches he has played in several places across the country, among which, includes the famed Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders during 2005. But that, today he is known as an Indian first-class cricketer, and the only cricketer from Nagaland to play first class cricket did not emerge overnight. For his association with bats, bowling and wickets date back to his childhood, although he started playing professionally only at the age of 16.

In his years of being in the field, he has also brushed shoulders with the like of Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly, played various matches including the finals of the Tiens Cricket Cup from Sparks CC as Captain, West Bengal under 19, Dalhousie Athletic Club, Kolkata, played for West Bengal both in the state and at the national level to name a few.

But why Cricket? And he is quick to reply, “it’s all because of my Mom”. He goes on to recall, “I was never into cricket. When I was a kid, I played both cricket and football seasonally. But my Mom was a Big Time cricket fan. And that’s how I generated the interest” while also adding, “both my parents were very supportive” towards this endeavour.

His love for cricket is evident but it’s also easy to see that it has carried more than a decade of hard work and dedication. Understandably, his most fulfilling moment was when he made his debut as First Class Cricketer a couple of years back. “I’ve really really worked hard to play for First Class. I waited 10 years to get it”, he profoundly shares.

Needless to say, his hard work has paid off. And while many people may still consider sports as an extracurricular activity, he is living proof that it is possible to comfortably earn a living through sports. “There is a lot of money in cricket”, he enlightens and goes on to explain, “if you are playing at the highest level, there is lots of money”. With sports, he further adds, there is a good future.

But he insists every bit that hard work is a dire essential. “You have to really work hard”, he emphasizes. And as far as sports is concerned, he says, “training is a must, and also because, we Nagas hate to play (referring to discipline), if you want to play, work hard, because there is so much competition.” “You have to believe in yourself and whatever you are doing, do it very honestly”, he further adds.

As for the graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta, Cricket is his very life. It’s like he breathes cricket, sleeps cricket, talks cricket, dreams cricket, lives cricket, as he himself would confess. But then, it is such love for the game that has brought him this far.

Hokaito Zhimomi currently plays for the Assam Cricket Team in the Ranji Trophy, which is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between teams representing regional cricket associations. The competition, named after England and Sussex cricketer Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji (Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, also known as "Ranji") currently consists of 27 teams, with 21 of the 28 states in India and Delhi (which is an Union Territory), having at least one representation.

Zedino Seyie: Driven to help the needy

At the age of 22, Zedino Seyie is pretty much living her most cherished ambition to help the needy, even as she was driven at such a young age to initiate “Mission Love”, which is about breaking barriers, destroying boundaries, pushing for peace, and spreading compassion.

The charming young lady, who is ambitious and optimistic and also loves to read and write, apart from other occupations that engross her as Founder of ‘Mission Love’, Social Media Specialist & Intern Consultant at ‘The Connect Studio’, Nagaland's first clothing production and manufacturing brand, and Adviser of ‘The Jam Tree’, a newly launched music institute, imparting innovative education preparing musicians for creative and professional careers in contemporary music performance, recording, and related fields.

Currently pursuing her degree at Mount Carmel College Bangalore, she is the eldest of five siblings and grew up in Dimapur, Dibrugarh and Kohima, and studied at Little Flower School Dibrugarh and Kohima, Northfield and Delhi Public School.

About Mission Love

Zedino Seyie: Mission Love is about breaking barriers, destroying boundaries, pushing for peace, and spreading compassion…it is NEVER about protecting the weak and oppressed from the strong and superior, but MOTIVATING and INSPIRING the weak and oppressed to BREAKTHROUGH barriers, boundaries, bondages and limits!

The beginning of the ‘Charity Revolution’

Zedino Seyie: When I think of how it all began, I am always taken back to when I was a kid, running around with the children of the tea-plantation workers in Assam. I remember my brother and I would take our slates (every kid of the 90s had that) and chalk and hand them our rough notebooks to teach them ABC and 123. And when we shifted to Nagaland, my parents would take us along when they visited the Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home and I found my friends in them but, it wasn't until I held this one little girl in my hands, a four months old, swaddled in a thin blanket, in deep sleep, who had just been brought to the Home...as I held her, drew her close to me, my eyes welled up, every cell of my body agitated and keyed up as to how and why an infant as lovely as her should be left alone in the hands of a stranger and many more little pairs of hands that fight to hold her next. It was then, I knew I had to do something for children who are given away or abandoned by family.

Seeing the hope that interaction brings to the children is what inspired me to start Mission Love. I always say this, "A beggar lives, but with the hope that he will find food tomorrow." When you have hope, you have everything, when hope is lost, all is lost.

The journey so far…

Zedino Seyie: It’s been a pleasant and joyous journey so far. And we have a little something called "The Love Movement" this summer, which is a series of events altogether, open to everybody - young and old, who have the heart to serve and make a difference this summer!!! So I guess that's a good thing to look forward to in the next couple of months.

Any social cause you particularly care for?

Zedino Seyie: I care for the parentless, teenage moms, single moms and those who are trapped in flesh trade. Mission Love is about sharing the heart of the Father to everybody and anybody but mostly to those who are condemned, rejected, oppressed and ignored by the society.

Goals & ambitions:

Zedino Seyie: My childhood ambition was to become a doctor, then a teacher, then a lawyer and the list goes on; but whatever my ambition was, it was to help the needy and create opportunities and avenues, where the young people can benefit from each other while generating more opportunities and paving the way for exponential growth in our state for the rising generations.

Any rewarding moments?

Zedino Seyie: When we celebrated World Orphans' Day last year, many of the teenagers testified that, that was the first time they ever heard somebody tell them they could be somebody, someday - that to me is the most rewarding moment and will ever remain so.

Where do you see yourself five years down the line?

Zedino Seyie: Five years down the line, I want to see me, still working as hard and as passionate for the children, with thousands of genuine hearts that volunteer with me.

‘My crafting life re-energizes my academic life’: Elika Sum

Elika Sumi is a self taught Jewelry designer, who recalls her first attempt to make jewelry as a funny story from picking up a couple of different toothed (shaped) pliers and manipulating wires to make shapes. Eventually, she learned the terminologies of jewelry-making and the techniques on the Internet, and started practicing, sometimes learning the hard way, which included a couple of band-aid covered fingertips.

“I am still learning to work with certain metals”, she confesses, but Jewelry-making is something she learned on her own, which is why she prefers to call it a craft rather than a profession.

For the record, she loves to work with her hands and so, crafting and art is something that drives her. This is apparent when she says, “I often experimented on working with various metals and materials, where sometimes I used to make small trinkets for my friends. I love the idea of scanning through individual materials - be it glass, stone or wooden bead and matching them up with different metals, colorful wires and the head-spin of estimating gauges along the process of creating something beautiful. I do believe that from a young age I liked to craft - so there was knitting, weaving and embroidering but my love for jewelry-making came much later and I must say that it’s something that I enjoy the most.”

Well, she got better at making jewelry with time and practice, and that’s probably also when ‘Crafty Nothings’ happened, although she confesses that the overall project of "Crafty Nothings" began as a photo album on Facebook, with the initial objective to share some of her crafts with friends and followers. However, last December she was encouraged to open a page on Facebook by her friends, to sell and to promote some of her crafts. 

“And so I decided to begin with jewelry - to be honest, since it could also be a little more lucrative. And so the adventure begins for my jewelry line which I call "ArtSanity" - it's just jewelry for now, but I am sure that "Crafty Nothings" is destined for a bit of a stretch eventually”, she puts across.

Just a few months’ old, and the response so far, she says, has been surprisingly positive – “and actually I am saying this with a bit of a bewilderment. I never thought that people would be wearing, rather buying my creations. I feel absolutely thrilled about this - one should not hide beautiful things, they are meant to be admired isn't it?” she enthusiastically adds.

But designing jewelry is not something she does full-time. She is currently writing her PhD thesis, and will be submitting in a few months. It’s only when she has the luxury of ‘free time’ that she indulges in jewelry making. “This is also the reason why my products are rather limited in stock”, she explains.

“Academics is where my passion lies, and research and teaching is my ultimate goal. In fact, if I may be cheeky I will admit that my crafting life re-energizes my academic life, but it is true that creating and making things is very therapeutic for me”, she professes.

The PhD Student in cultural studies at English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, who would describe herself as a little bit of a tinkerer with a curious mind, eager to work with her own hands, an artist/artisan, an avid traveler, prone to DIY projects, a farming enthusiast and a colorful cook, feels she could be triggering a couple of minds if she were to say that she does care for many social causes in Nagaland.

However, as a woman herself, her heart goes out for the Naga women. “We may say that with education, and exposure to different cultures, the Naga woman is emancipating and her status is much better than the caste-ridden woman from the mainland. Yet, let’s not forget that the 'personal is political.' And therefore, even if we do consider social realities, or familial canons of Naga society, or even the sheer absence of her presence in seats of governance, she still has a long way to go”, she profoundly shares.

While another aspect of her concern encompasses the horror of educated unemployment in Nagaland. “If I were to deliberate on why I am concerned about this social problem, it would require more than a few lines. We are all aware of the situation, the excess of disorder that exists within our system and society. We are not fools are we? We understand perfectly the blight that hangs on to our harvest, yet we are still three steps behind from removing the bad seeds, the question is why? Only we can answer that vital question”, is  what she has to say.

Still, she believes, “We are generation endowed with a world that is open, a knowledge that is free and a life with boundless horizons”, while encouraging young people further by saying, “So, how privileged are we to be part of a world is constantly innovating, even in terms of ideas and work opportunities. And so, in a constantly shifting world, we often forget to pause and build expertise in our fields. Therefore, I believe that being an expert, or specializing in particular field could be the answer to a lot of our contemporary social problems. Yet, learning is a life-long process and our lives in this age stands testimony to this statement, and so we should never shy away or be too haughty to learn something new.”

And before going any further, she declares, “I'm afraid that my wish for the Naga society is rather lofty!” “A corrupt-free Nagaland would be an utopia”, she speaks her mind, but Elika Sumi’s wishes for Nagaland also includes a way to end/curb corruption in its many avatars, a way to solve the Naga political problem, a way to revive and re-generate the Naga youths and a way to bring prosperity and peace into our land.

It’s easy to connect the dots when she says five years down the line, she sees herself actively pursuing her academic profession, intensely deliberating a word or two for the Nagas, building research foundations for paradigm shifts in studies related to Naga society, culture and politics and last but not the least, often taking refuge in the world of art and crafting to re-energize her pursuits! 

Well, her story would be incomplete without the mention of  her parents, whom, she considers her inspiration- “My Mum is a tower of strength. She taught me to knit, weave, cook, garden and every art that I wanted to learn, she has always encouraged me. My Dad also inspires me, but in a different way. I have learned much about life and faith through him, he is super special to me!”

Paul and his Dream Machine

One would most often spot K.K Paul Rutsa on an adventure, riding to exotic places, not merely for the love of it, but because, in his words, “I’ve always wanted to know more and more about my people, my state.” For which, he also says, “all my adventure activities are concentrated towards our beautiful state, so that I can enrich myself with every minute detail that is necessary for us.”

He has been to many other states across India and abroad, including Myanmar, on his dream machine, as he calls it. But clearly, no place was more impressive than what Nagaland has to offer, which is why he would rather choose places closer home than riding elsewhere.

The story of the adventurer in him essentially begins with the awe-inspiring Dzükou valley, which, he also says, has been the greatest aspiration and inspiration for him. Interestingly, he had imagined it even before he had visited the place. He even won a prize from a drawing competition where he drew the Dzükou of his dreams, which, incredibly turned out to be exactly the same as the existing Dzükou. Understandably, this instantly drew him to nature. The rest, as they say, is history even while Paul would say, “it was the beginning of a love story which grew deeper as the years passed by and I finally got enchanted by it; and it turned me into an adventurer who never stopped exploring.”

He is a man who loves to be lost in imagination- “That is to imagine something which is very peculiar, in the sense that hardly anybody would ever give a thought to such things”, he explains. “Travelling to places is my passion which I do to fulfill my dream to love and know nature better. I love to take on the challenges that arise from the roads that are less travelled on my dream machine, that is my bike, for she takes me to the places that I desire or dream of at minimum expenses and of course, she makes it very thrilling with lots of fun on the way”, he goes on to say.

Further on, throwing more light on his adventures, he shares that, “to plan out for a journey is a tedious work because it demands planning and the first thing that we need to do is to steal time from our busy schedule as we can’t afford to put a halt to our daily activities. The next thing is proper and sensitive selection of the destination as I feel that every trip is a new learning experience, and if it’s a group adventure with more than ten people travelling together than it still becomes more challenging because it demands a lot of discipline in managing the crowd on the road, but it also brings lots of fun.”

For him, every place or state is unique, blessed with its own beauty, but to this, he also says, that  one “needs a special sense of vision to see it and a special heart to feel it”. And if there is a valuable lesson he has learnt from all his adventures, then, it is “to love and respect all those we meet along our way and also to manage time wisely and maintain good health.”

K.K. Paul Rutsa, who is the youngest son of Vimedo Rutsa,  remembers himself as a child who played more games than he studied. Painting, sketching, carpentry, mechanical works and all forms of art have been his hobbies and passion since childhood.

He strongly feels that our culture forms the backbone of our identity and is deeply concerned that gradually we are losing it, apart from preserving historical places and our beautiful land. As a member of Nagaland Adventure Club and also of Nagaland Motorcycle Club, he enlightens, “we are working together in promoting and preserving our culture through adventure sports and travelling. We feel a little sense of responsibility and contribution from each of us will bring about a positive change in keeping our cultural identity intact.”

Unemployment, for him, is also a very big issue while expressing further that its impact will create a lot of social menace. “We need to be more open and likeminded in taking up any employment opportunities that come up irrespective of it government or private etc,  last but not the  least it’s not possible for the government to create jobs for the ever growing population so we should also be creative in innovating opportunities for oneself”, he emphasizes.

Further stating belief that ecotourism will be a suitable avenue for the state to economically prosper considering the geographical location and the vast abundance of the flora and fauna, he speaks on behalf of NAC when he says that, “as a member of Nagaland Adventure Club, I would like to say that we have on our part taken several small steps in putting up the state on the National arena through adventure sports but we feel that with more support from the government we will be able to achieve much and put our state on the international arena and that will the goal for me in years to come.” 

“Let’s be one and share equal responsibilities in whatever we do to make this state of ours much better and also let’s play our part positively and constructively instead of blaming one another and let our words be converted into actions”, is what he has to say to young people.      

Inspired by the challenge to accomplish the unachievable, Paul Rutsa is an exterior & interior designer by profession. He also runs a shop, that deals with automobile accessories and adventure gears while his love for adventure continues to live and create impact at the same time.

Basic advice for all those who would love to prepare for a trip

·        Never take on a trip when your health doesn’t permit you.

·        Expenses will always be more than what you estimate.

·        Have basic knowlegde of first aid

·        When you visit a place be acquainted to it than being a stranger.

·        Carry basic spare parts and tools.

‘What I am, where I am now, I owe it to YouthNet’

Never mind the tally. Samuel Magh, steadfast accountant for ‘YouthNet’, also the longest serving employee of this youth oriented organization does not bother to keep count of his length of service.

Six years on the roll with YouthNet, and the first sentence Samuel utters with a gush -“It’s been an amazing journey!”

 “Working with icons like Hekani Jakhalu, founder of YN, Joshua Sheqi and Lezo Putsure has been a source of inspiration,” he exclaims with alacrity.

A student of DBS Chiephobozou and GHS Chiechama, Samuel completed his B.Com from Baptist College , Kohima in 2005. After a brief stint as a teacher in a school, Samuel joined YouthNet in 2009. He has not looked back ever since.

In a tête-à-tête, Samuel shares with us a first impression on his enchanting life with YouthNet.

FIVE YEARS IS A LONG TIME. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH YOUTHNET.

=> It has been an amazing journey at YouthNet and every day I learn new things. I am fortunate to work with very competent and efficient mentors like Madam Hekani Jakhalu (YN Director & Founder), Joshua Sheqi, Lezo Putsure who have all molded me. Not forgetting my supportive colleagues who continue to motivate me…

What I am, where I am now, I owe to YouthNet.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

=>I love the work culture at YouthNet. There is so much positive energy and everyone is busy in their respective assignment. The environment, the nature of the work, the team bonding and most importantly our contribution to the youths of Nagaland is of utmost importance.

We also get the opportunity to connect and interact with people from different walks of life.

STRUGGLES AND CHALLENGES YOU HAD TO FACE TO REACH WHERE YOU ARE TODAY

=>Since my educational background was average, many times I found some tasks harder than others. However I made it a point to learn new things each day. My colleagues have been very understanding and assisted me at all times. Now I feel more skilled and I want to continuously learn.

FUTURE PLANS. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF 5 YEARS FROM NOW?

=>I cannot tell what the future holds for me.  But as long as I am with YouthNet, I will learn more and at the same time contribute what I have learned through my service and work assigned to me.

Five years from now, I see myself taking on new and exciting challenges and emerge as an invaluable asset to the organization.

Sky is the limit for cabin crew, Ajung Jamir

Ajung Jamir

Based in Doha as a cabin crew with the Qatar Airways, Ajung Jamir has extensively travelled the world, but has firmly remained grounded to her roots. For her, it is extremely important to know one’s roots and identity and she has clearly drawn valuable lessons from travelling across the globe even as she shares that, “Travelling has taught me about humility and respect- it taught me how to respect equally a cleaner on board as I would the CEO of my company.” 
Working in a company of almost 7000 crew from all over the world, she goes on to say, “when the first question a stranger asks is "where are you from?", it is very important to know one's roots and identity, to remain grounded, or else we will be just one of the faces that serve them chicken with rice.”

One would think the life of a flight attendant is one filled with glamour and style, and while that may be true to a certain extent, the profession is certainly not without challenges. “When I get ready for duty, I am clueless of what to expect out of that day or flight. The unpredictability of this job is what I find challenging and Fun at the same time. This is a profession that will keep everyone's toe on check. And one who is spontaneous ought to love every bit of it”, she says.

Describing her two years’ journey with Qatar Airways as quite remarkable, she goes on to share that, “I've had the privilege of meeting some amazing people from around the globe, learn about life, friendship and growth, which I doubt I would have had, had I been home and just amongst people I am comfortable with.” To this end, she also remembers one of her professors back from college, who told them that, ‘being around people help us discover ourselves better and I couldn’t agree more with him because I now realize how I have evolved as a person and this profession has also helped me hone my PR skills.’

Yet, when she was a kid, nobody would have imagined her to be in her shoes today. Because, as she says, “as a child, I was naughty, mischievous and adventurous. I don’t have any memories of owning a Barbie or a dress, I was out and about exploring the famous Milak river near our ward/colony in Mokokchung with my brothers, playing marbles ,climbing trees, stealing plum (fruit), breaking school glasses, giving a scare to the little boys who tease my sister or just being one of the famous G.I JOES and fighting sword fights with my neighbour boys.”

She also admits that her current profession is more of an accident than intentional. “I've never planned on becoming a cabin crew, until I bumped into an advertisement online one night, submitted my resume and then one thing led to the other and here I am today in Doha working as a cabin crew”, she says.

Before she got into it, she further recalls that this profession to her was all about a pretty face, looking good, smiling to the passengers and doing a bit of demo before take-off. But that opinion has clearly changed a lot since she joined, even as she goes on to add, “who knew about being professionally trained on first aid, or securing a certificate and a license before one is given the green card to fly? This job needs a lot of brain and will power. Brain to study and remember, the will power to take in everything that is thrown at you.”

Apparently, there are no normal days for a cabin crew. “Each flight is unpredictable in its own way, thanks to the passengers. It won’t matter to the passengers if you just had the biggest heart break of the century or you just had your period because whatever it may be, you "have to" attend to your passengers. Period. You will have babies crying non-stop, hyper active holiday makers wanting a refill of beers and wines, first timers trying all the buttons on the handset, and then we have the difficult passengers who refuses to sit down and buckle up plus the turbulence. What am saying is, there is no typical or normal day for a cabin crew. In fact there is one thing I can promise you - no two days are ever the same. There is no 1 to 10 here, and you’re never quite sure how your day will turn out! In short this is a profession that will always challenge you and keep you on your toes. The unpredictability is the soul of this job, I feel”, she throws glimpses into the life of a cabin crew.

Ajung Jamir would describe herself as a people person even as she elaborates by saying, “I love people,- working with them, talking with them, helping them- I just love being around people. This being said, of course, there are times when I require my "quiet space" (I’ll be insane without it), and this is the time I read, write and think.”

When she is not flying, she tries to achieve the basics first, such as catch on her sleep, do her laundry, cook and sit for her famous rice, dal and aloo fry dinner or lunch. Once these goals are accomplished, she is out and about Doha, be it on a movie spree, shopping, reading a book in her room or just catching up with her friends.

She would also absolutely encourage more Naga youths to join a profession like hers even while putting across that this job pays to travel and not only that, she further adds, “you get to spend on yourself, help out here and there if required and then get to save in your personal bank account too. This profession not only open avenues of meeting people from diverse backgrounds but also help in achieving one's own personal dreams. I had the privilege of flying with a lawyer from Cairo, a microbiologist from Tehran and also a Doctor from South Africa (to name a few). They are working as cabin crew to travel and to save -save enough money to go back to their own home country and start up their very own private law firm, finance for higher studies/specialization or open up a clinic. What I am saying here is, certain jobs always helps give that little push to the next venture you might have in life.”

While on the other hand, she strongly feels about sexual discrimination/abuse. “I don't understand why a mother and her daughter have to give up on their home just because the father passed away and have no son to carry on his name. I don't understand why a girl is being eve-teased and made uncomfortable just because she is passing by a road where some boys are playing cricket. I don't understand why a husband beats his wife black and blue just because he is having an affair and needs an outlet for his guilt. I don't understand why a mother has to go through the lifelong guilt of killing her own baby just because her husband wants a baby boy over a girl. What I also don't understand is why a woman is raped and murdered just because a man feels like it. I really wish there were some strict penalty for such evil acts meted out against women and not just jailed, discussed in hushed tones or the constant unsuccessful rallies we've had”, she delves in showing great concern.

And as far as the youth of Nagaland are concerned, if she could, she would try and do away with the present trend and dependence on Government Jobs even while expressing that. “we should all try and take the risk of making the best use of the resources around us instead of relying solely on Goverement jobs.” She believes that our youths are blessed with immense talents when it comes to music, art and entrepreneurship, which, she goes on to say is very encouraging and so, it is also her wish that ‘our people continue to encourage each other and create more avenues for such ventures to grow.’

She may be engrossed in her career as a cabin crew for now, but somewhere down the line, she can definitely imagine herself going back to her roots, and  in her words, “doing what I have always wanted to do. Teach.”

Youngs Club, giving hope to the hopeless

For somebody who dropped out of school because his family could not afford it, Jenpu Rongmei has come a long way. He has stood firm in pursuing the dream of his childhood, which is to serve people; and he has gone on to achieve it, acknowledging still, that it was by the sheer grace of God.

He did not look back and he did not give in to the financial constraints that his family had, because as they say, there is always a way for someone who has the will. “Youngs Club” was born out of many struggles and hard work but it’s got the most beautiful story to tell. Jenpu formed the club in 2010 in memory of his younger brother who died as a victim of drugs. His efforts that began to pay off in 2010, dates back to a humble beginning in 2000 when he started involving himself in youth activities in his locality, voluntarily engaging himself for the welfare of the students and the community at large.

Coming across a number of school drop-outs, who eventually got frustrated and as a result indulged themselves in anti-social activities including drug abuse, Jenpu began by motivating them in his own little way. He asserts that he was not highly qualified but it does not come as a surprise that he was recognized by his own students’ community and hence, served as an executive member. Much as he wanted to study further, his financial condition at home did not allow him, which, he confesses was hurtful.

In 2004, he started visiting offices of NGOs, collecting information on HIV/AIDS, Youth Development and how to work on community service notwithstanding the fact that he was given a cold shoulder several times. However during 2005, he started working at an NGO as a Peer Outreach Worker in the UNODC project at Bethesda Youth welfare centre. One could say 2006 was a painful year for him as he lost his brother to drugs that year and felt like he lost everything. But it was also then, he started focusing more on the youths, drug users and alcoholics alike.

“I started talking about drugs at home, family circle, youth programs and even in sport activities but could not do independently since I was working under an organization, and so, in the year 2010, I took a bold decision to do something for the youths, especially for the dropout students…I couldn’t save my own brother from drugs but took a challenge to spread awareness to other youths to abstain from drugs”, he thoughtfully expresses.

He insists that it was with the help of his close friends and younger sister that Youngs’ Club was formed on 22^nd August, 2010 with the motto ‘Let’s give hope’. Youngs Club gives support to young people and drop-out students to engage themselves in community service, organize various youth programs, events, sports, workshops etc,  helping them abstain from anti social activities and to become self responsible in every field.

Well, today, that same school drop-out, who couldn’t afford to study all he wanted, has many enriching experiences tucked under his belt. He has worked at the United Nation’s Office for Drugs and Crime H- 13 Project at Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, worked on the Targeted Intervention Project on truckers at NEDHIV, he was also selected at CLLJ for  the youth mentoring and development program at Delhi, served as Information secretary of Dimapur District Voluntary Blood Donors Association, attended several workshops, conferences and trainings outside Nagaland such as the Youth Leadership in Kolkata 2013, Northeast training on voluntary blood donation at Mizoram in 2013, Human Rights workshop at Shillong  2012, Drugs conference on searching the truth and solution at Guwahati 2013, and Nagaland’s own event, Indian Himalaya Youth Summit at Kisama. Meanwhile, Youngs Club also distinguished itself by earning the title, Most Trusted Partner of Voluntary Blood Donation by district hospital blood bank in the year 2012 apart from receiving the Nagaland state best youth club award 2013 from Nehru Yuva Kendra.

Jenpu, who starts a new day with hope and faith has a special corner for downtrodden children, who have no proper education, proper food, proper health facilities even as he emphasizes that ‘every child is beautiful, rich or poor.’ His heart also goes out for dropout students while observing that the society only talks about educated unemployed, and questions, what about drop out students, should we just leave them? “They have the talent but lack opportunity’, he says and regretfully adds that ‘most people always target drop-out students for wrong doings…the problem is that the society don’t accept them’.

Yet, when it comes to his most fulfilling moment, he is happy to share about a girl he sponsored, completing her Theological Studies apart from another dropout Student, who changed his lifestyle by participating in his programs and activities, and is currently working in Kerala.

It isn’t hard to see why Jenpu has come this far. Hard work does pay off and he has certainly shown the courage to live a well cherished dream, even as the thriving social worker leaves with some food for thought- “Take your own decisions, take control! Be self responsible...Live not only for you but live for others (society).”

Some of his Projects:

Initiated and started “Project Care & Hope”, a home based care support project for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, Drug abuse and alcoholic parents. Besides, it also supports children from downtrodden background for those who want to continue studies. With no funding agency for this project, Jenpu manages with his team by identifying the child and reaching out to the community, sharing the painful stories of those children. People touched by their stories sponsor these children. Presently, most of the members of Naga Blog are supporting the children under Care and Hope.

‘Discover Positive’: ‘Discover Positive’ project aims to enable school/College drop-outs and underprivileged youths to transcend from dependency to independency by facilitating them to face challenges whilst enhancing their talents/abilities for a productive life. ‘Discover Positive’ is to reach out to the young people, especially dropout students and underprivileged youth and to give them determination to discover their positive challenge towards a better life, to explore their talents to, develop their capacity, become sociable, involve themselves in a youth program and other community service so as to abstain from Anti-Social Activities.