Unemployment can be solved by self-employment: MLA

Mysuru: MLA Darshan Puttannaiah on Tuesday said, "Unemployment problem can be solved through self-employment." Speaking at a seminar on Students-Youths: Problems, Challenges and Solution organised by Angala Sahitya Balaga and Devarathna Foundation at humanities auditorium of Manasagangotri, he said govts may change policies and regulations to create job opportunities, but it is impossible to provide jobs for everyone.In our village of Hosalli, 12 people applied for the job of an anganwadi worker. Half of the villagers took a bus to Bangalore to get a job for a woman. This is an example of the current level of unemployment in the country," he stated.In our village, there are over 500 educated individuals with degrees and postgraduate degrees. However, they have no jobs and are not engaging in agriculture. Some of them are falling into bad habits and addictions, such as online gambling, the MLA claimed.Every year, 1.86 lakh students graduate with engineering degrees. Only 50% of them get jobs. There is no data on what the remaining 50% are doing, he said.In rural areas, people are selling their homes and land to educate their children, believing that education will eradicate poverty. However, govts cannot provide jobs as per people's aspirations, he said.IT-BT cannot create jobs on a large scale. It is only possible through small industries. Entrepreneurship is not just about IT-BT; setting up a shop in rural areas and doing business is also a startup. Young people should cultivate a risk-taking mindset and venture into new endeavours, he suggested and urged the govt to change laws, policies, and regulations to encourage entrepreneurs to become entrepreneurs.On the occasion, a two-minute short film titled ‘Eradu Rupee' was screened. Actor and social activists Chetan Ahimsa and Savitha P Mallesh and social activist Shivasundar were present.