The recently concluded B20 was met with lots of mixed responses as Nagaland received business interest from both national and international business delegates in various sectors, garnering investment intent worth Rs 4510 crore, according to an official report.
However, starting from how the event was organized, the event was claimed to be the evidence of an existing system where everything favours those who have close ties to the rich and powerful and how the development is always focused on Kohima and Dimapur. While some called the summit a revelation of the great divide in Nagaland, some also called it a “great platform to talk and showcase their products.”
Meanwhile, many participants in the event believed that the event had “too many bureaucrat speeches” and spoke on the subject Naga King Chilli “way too many times” by the officials.
Another participant in the summit viewed that “time management was a mess” and wished that “they had spoken more on the key advantages that we Nagas have that other communities don’t.”
While an insider revealed that the Nagaland government spent a large amount of money on hosting the G20 summit and hoped that Nagaland gets back in return the amount they invested.
Meanwhile, Kevisato Sanyü, one of the founders of NagaEd while sharing his opinion on the summit with Mokokchung Times said, “As India increases its interest in the North-East and provides opportunities for us to speak on global platforms such as the G20 & B20 Summit in Kohima, entrepreneurs, government, businesses and the community must come together with a message that is worthy of a global stage.”
He further asked “what our contribution to the global community is” and stated that the contribution a people or nation can make does not necessarily correlate with size or economic status.
Supporting his statement, he went on to explain how Jamaica’s music industry has influenced almost every music genre and provided rhymes and beats that can be heard in every corner of the globe.
“Aboriginal Australians have demonstrated great global leadership in their activism and advocacy for the rights and culture of indigenous peoples. Their population is less than half that of the Nagas. We must reflect profoundly and authentically contribute value worthy of a global platform,” he added.
Sanyü, in one of his opinion pieces titled, “Nurturing Key Skills for the Future of Work in North-East India,” recalled a speech by Ms Rupa Dutta (Principal Economic Adviser, DPIIT) which, according to him, was the speech that stuck the most with him on the event.
He recalled how Ms Dutta’s speech was about “preparing our next generation for the future of work and the opportunity it presents for the North-East Region.”
“The tribal and indigenous people of North-East India have adapted to 230 years of industrial revolution in just one generation. Our ability to embrace the challenges and opportunities of this unique and rapid transformation makes the region a compelling investment destination,” he said.
He explained how amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we find ourselves characterized by the fusion of physical, digital, and biological technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology.
“There is a significant shift in the jobs landscape due to AI and Automation, and it presents us with an opportunity to reshape the future of work. The truth is, the future of work is already here, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that we harness the potential of these ground breaking technologies,” he wrote.
According to him, to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape, he viewed it as essential for businesses, governments, and individuals to collaborate and invest in skill development, education, and innovation.
“By nurturing a workforce equipped with the necessary digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, we can ensure that the benefits of AI and Automation are shared by all and that people are not left behind in this technological revolution,” he said.
He lists out seven essential future work skills to explore North-East India’s unique context and to nurture their development through Sense-Making; Social Intelligence; Novel and Adaptive Thinking; Language Proficiency; Cross-cultural Collaboration; Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship.
He further viewed that North-East India’s historical, cultural, and political context offers a fertile ground for cultivating these skills, characterized by these seven attributes: Diverse Cultural Heritage; Resilience and Adaptability; Strong Community Values; Educational Focus; Political Support for Skill Development; Entrepreneurial Spirit; and Language Proficiency.
Understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and Automation, he urged the delegates of the G20 Summit to consider investing in regions like North-East India, which have demonstrated a remarkable capacity to adapt and thrive amidst this technological revolution.
“By doing so, you will not only support economic growth and global competitiveness but also contribute to the development of a resilient and future-ready workforce, capable of leading the world towards a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow,” he concluded.
Mokokchung Times