Manipur Entrepreneur Urges Youth to Prioritize Skill Training Over Degrees

Imphal: Manipur faces a mounting jobs crisis. Thangjam Dhabali Singh, chairman and managing director of the Babina Group of Companies, warned that roughly five lakh educated residents are chasing work in a state with only one lakh government jobs. Degrees are not enough. He pushed local youth to embrace vocational training to secure their futures.

Singh spoke during a certificate and appointment letter ceremony at the Home Land Academy, located in the Assam Rifles Sanjeevani Complex at North AOC, Imphal. This ninth graduating class completed a professional security program through the Home Academy of Tactical Security and Fire Safety. The training operates as a flagship initiative under the Inspector General Assam Rifles (South).

The entrepreneur pointed toward Japan, South Korea, and the United States as models for success, noting those nations thrive by emphasizing practical expertise. He praised the academy for its role in preparing graduates for the workforce. "Every youth should try to excel in at least one skill that can generate income," Singh told the audience.

He urged the attendees to look past traditional academic routes. The government is currently expanding various skill development programs across India. Singh wants local youth to grab these opportunities before the state unemployment gap widens further.