Mokokchung Times Exclusive
Mokokchung | March 29
Three Sumo taxi counters in Mokokchung operating daily services between Mokokchung to Dimapur and Kohima reported that, in between January and March 2022, an estimated total of about 9000 passenger ticket sales were made.
According to the receptionists at the counters, approximately more than 50% of the outbound passengers travelling to Kohima and Dimapur were students who were leaving the town for pursuing further studies. Most students travel this time of year as their new academic sessions start.
Year after another, Mokokchung continues to witness shutting down of businesses in the town while more young and old individuals and families leave for other districts, mainly Dimapur, in search for a better livelihood and ease of living. This has led to a decline in the young and skillful population of the town which consequently bear huge economic consequences.
Speaking with Mokokchung Times, Nungsang, who is a lecturer now in Kohima, said that he left Mokokchung in 2012 after his secondary education to pursue his college degree. Now, after ten years of his stay there, he has successfully set up his business in Kohima and intends to live in Dimapur years later.
“After completing my master’s in Nagaland University, Meriema, I decided to settle in Kohima because Kohima offered me more opportunities and platform. However, years ago, when I first came to Mokokchung town in early 2000s from my village to pursue my studies in Edith Douglas, Mokokchung was a busy commercial district and it was a ‘go to’ destination among our friends in the village but sadly, over the years, things have changed,” he said.
Regarding his choice of college and university, he said, “While growing up I was often told that Kohima has better schools and colleges and offers more options, so I decided to go there,” he said.
Similarly, Achi left her village for Dimapur after her matriculation and said she opted to pursue her secondary education in Dimapur because all of her seniors went there to study.
“When I was young, everyone talked about going to Mokokchung town to study but it has been about five to six years now that people have started migrating to Dimapur. I think it’s because we all grow up with an impression that more schools and colleges are available in Dimapur and Kohima,” she explained.
“Also, people these days have begun migrating to metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Bangalore. I suppose travelling has become much easier but it’s mainly because of people searching for job opportunities.”
Ajung, who graduated from Fazl Ali College in 2020, is now working in one of the private firms in Kohima. Speaking on her decision to leave the town, she said, “I had to leave Mokokchung because there was no opportunity for me there. At least here in Kohima, I can earn for myself by working in some private firms although the salary is a bare minimum.”
Senti and Yashi, who completed their master’s degree from Lumami, are currently in Kohima and have enrolled themselves in an NPSC/UPSC coaching institute for the state civil services examination. On being asked why they made the decision to leave Mokokchung, they replied that it was because they felt the competitive spirit was more in districts like Kohima and there were barely any coaching institutes available for such in Mokokchung.
Sunep, a father of three children, said he will definitely send their children outside of Mokokchung once they pass out of class ten. “If only things go well, I would definitely love to send my children to other districts and states and even abroad, if opportunity provides. It’s not only to do with academics but I want them to have the exposure they need and learn from other people and societyoutside of us,” he said.
According to Shantanu Prakash, Managing Director, Educomp Solutions, the education sector is estimated to be a $40 billion market projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of about 16 per cent for the next five years. However, oddly enough, Mokokchung district recorded negligible to almost zero investment in the education sector such as Edtech.
Chuba Longkumer, Vice President, MCCI, said the lack of investment in the education sector in Mokokchung is mostly due to lack of awareness and the perception among the locals that services provided outside the district are better.
“There is also a population factor involved which includes a lot of risk. For instance, even if the investor invests in sectors such as coaching institutes for NPSC and UPSC, there is no guarantee that people would enroll,” he added. However, he extended his belief that better investment in such sectors can have a positive turnout if one is willing to take the risk.
According to many youths, they choose to leave the town because of poor health care services coupled with limited educational and economic opportunities.
“I think what we need is to stop youths from leaving the district. We need to improvise the current school education and set up more colleges and training institutes; that way, more employment can be generated. At the same time, more students will stay back and even students from other districts will pour in which will facilitate hostels and hotel businesses and will contribute to economic growth,” suggested Meren.
“To me, the best way Mokokchung can improve is by paying more attention to Health Care facilities. We seriously need more and better hospitals,” said Lima.
The key suggestions that the locals provided to rejuvenate Mokokchung was to promote educational facilities and infrastructures, healthcare development and a major focus on tourism in Mokokchung.