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A landmark initiative unfolded at Kokrajhar Government College on April 29 as Bosco Reach Out – Don Bosco Job Placement Network, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Employment Exchange Kokrajhar), ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA), and Kokrajhar Government College, hosted the job fair in the region. The event attracted over 400 enthusiastic job seekers and featured seven prominent recruiters offering opportunities across India.
The job fair aimed to address the rising demand for employment and career guidance among the youth of Assam, especially in and around Kokrajhar. The initiative focused not only on providing job opportunities but also on empowering youth through awareness and career counseling.
The event began with an inaugural session, led by Rev. Fr. Ignatius Gari SDB, Associate Director of Bosco Reach Out. In his welcome address, Fr. Ignatius greeted the gathering, which included distinguished guests, recruiters, army and air force personnel, job seekers, college officials, and other collaborators. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in creating platforms that connect aspiring professionals with potential employers.
Following the welcome speech, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Karunaraj SDB, National Director of Don Bosco Job Placement Services, took the stage to introduce the vision and mission of the Don Bosco Job Placement Network. His message was one of inspiration and encouragement. He urged the youth to dream beyond local limitations and seek opportunities at the national level. “Don’t limit your potential to your surroundings. The world has opportunities waiting—you just need to step forward and grab them,” he said, striking a chord with the young attendees.
One of the major highlights of the inaugural session was the participation of defense personnel, who presented government-sponsored career opportunities for young Indians under the Agni-Veer Program.
Colonel Venkat Narasimhan, ARO, Indian Army, provided insights into life in the Indian Army, highlighting the discipline, honor, and growth prospects that a military career offers. “The Agni-Veer program is more than just recruitment—it’s a call to service, development, and transformation,” he stated while encouraging participants to explore careers in the armed forces.
In a similar vein, Sergeant Vivek Sharma from the Indian Air Force, Guwahati, elaborated on the selection process, training modules, and career progression available under the Agni-Veer scheme. He engaged the students in a motivational discussion, underlining the benefits and national significance of joining the Indian Air Force. His talk was especially impactful for the NCC cadets present at the event.
The inaugural session also featured the presence of notable government officials working at the forefront of employment generation in Assam.
Shri Sanatan Das, Sub-Regional Employment Officer from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, spoke about the services offered by career centers under the ministry. He highlighted the importance of career counseling and urged students and job seekers to regularly visit government career centers for personalized support and training information. “Sometimes, all it takes is one counseling session to find the right direction,” he added.
Following this, Dr. Kunal Boro, District Employment Officer, delivered an engaging and interactive address. He candidly discussed the employment scenario in the region and encouraged the youth to pursue skill development instead of settling for underpaid jobs post-graduation. “You should not hesitate to aim higher. Equip yourself with industry-relevant skills, and the opportunities will come to you,” he stated. His session prompted a lively interaction with the students, many of whom asked questions about skilling, internships, and employment strategies.
The inaugural session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Sebi Chacko, Regional Coordinator of AIDA – JPN. On behalf of Bosco Reach Out and its partners, Mr. Chacko expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders who contributed to making the event possible—especially the Kokrajhar Government College administration, student volunteers, recruiters, and government officials. He also gave a brief orientation on how participants could engage with the job fair and career expo sections throughout the day.
After the inaugural session, the job fair was started off with over 400 registered candidates, the job fair buzzed with activity throughout the day. Job seekers had the chance to attend one-on-one interviews with recruiters from diverse sectors, including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, aviation, banking, food and beverages, production and processing industries and many more
Seven reputable recruiters from across India participated, many of whom were offering roles at the PAN-India level. These recruiters recognized the untapped potential of youth from Assam and expressed enthusiasm at the level of preparedness and dedication shown by the participants.
The event’s success was measurable—not just in numbers but in stories. By the end of the fair, over 200 candidates received job offers, many of whom were first-time job seekers. For numerous participants, this was their first experience at a professional job fair, and they lauded the event for offering a structured, supportive environment to interact directly with employers.
Alongside interviews, the event also hosted a career expo, where the Indian Army and Indian Air Force set up booths to provide detailed career information about defense services, including brochures, career counseling, and audiovisual presentations. These exhibits drew attention not only from job seekers but also from college students and NCC cadets eager to explore defense career paths.
Participants came from Kokrajhar and surrounding districts, including Chirang, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri. The fair also attracted students from multiple institutions through effective collaboration and outreach by the organizers.
The event marked a significant step forward in empowering rural and semi-urban youth by linking them with credible job opportunities, career counseling, and national service prospects. It served not just as a job fair but as a platform for youth empowerment, and community collaboration.
The success of this job fair has inspired calls for similar initiatives across Assam and the Northeast. Bosco Reach Out and its partners are expected to continue their mission of building a robust employment ecosystem that combines training, counseling, and direct placement opportunities.
As the event drew to a close, one message was clear—when educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and defense forces unite for a common purpose, the future of youth looks brighter than ever.
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