Empowering the Future: Leadership Development for Khasi Indigenous Youth in Sylhet

Chandan Rozario

The Khasi community in Sylhet, Bangladesh, has been known for its strong cultural heritage, agroforestry practices, and cultivation of betel leaf. However, despite their rich traditions and unique way of life, the community faces significant challenges in terms of livelihood and leadership development. The Khasi community is largely women-headed, and their main source of income comes from betel leaf cultivation, which is not always profitable. This highlights the need for leadership development programs aimed at empowering Khasi indigenous youth and providing alternative income sources.

Leadership development is crucial for any community to thrive and succeed. It helps to create a new generation of leaders who can guide and inspire their communities towards a better future. However, leadership development programs often overlook indigenous communities, which can perpetuate existing power imbalances and limit opportunities for progress.

For the Khasi community in Sylhet, leadership development is particularly crucial. As women-headed households, they face unique challenges that require innovative solutions. By empowering Khasi indigenous youth with leadership skills, they can take on greater responsibilities within their families and communities, and become agents of change. With effective leadership, the Khasi community can address the social, economic, and environmental issues they face and create a sustainable future.

Agroforestry and betel leaf cultivation have been the mainstay of the Khasi community's livelihood for generations. However, with changing weather patterns and market fluctuations, their income sources have become increasingly uncertain. The lack of alternative income sources makes them particularly vulnerable to economic shocks and limits their ability to invest in education, health, and other basic needs.

Leadership development programs can help Khasi indigenous youth identify and develop alternative income sources that are sustainable and aligned with their cultural values. This can include eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, handicrafts, and other income-generating activities. By providing training, mentorship, and resources, leadership development programs can help Khasi youth create and run successful businesses that can provide a stable income for their families and communities.

In conclusion, the need for leadership development programs for Khasi indigenous youth in Sylhet cannot be overstated. The Khasi community is women-headed and largely dependent on agroforestry and betel leaf cultivation, which are not always profitable. With effective leadership, Khasi youth can create alternative income sources that are sustainable, and aligned with their cultural values. This can help to reduce poverty, create jobs, and provide a brighter future for the Khasi community in Sylhet. It is time for us to invest in the leadership potential of the Khasi indigenous youth, and empower them to lead the way towards a sustainable future.