Shillong, Aug 13: For Iba Mewan Tehillah Lyngdoh Tron of Lad Nongkrem, East Khasi Hills, the dream of a stable government job once seemed like the only route to success. But when that door didn’t open, she decided to build one herself—today, she runs a small but growing household goods shop serving her community.

Raised in a home that valued education, Iba Mewan studied hard and applied for various government posts after graduation, joining the long queue of hopeful candidates vying for limited positions. “I realised that time doesn’t wait for anyone. If we only wait for a government job, we might lose the chance to start something we can already do today,” she says.

With the moral and financial support of her parents, she opened a modest shop selling daily essentials. The business gave her control over her time and income, and with perseverance, it began to grow. “Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes hard work and perseverance. The support of my family has been my biggest strength,” she shares.

Iba Mewan’s story is a message to other young jobseekers: opportunity isn’t always something you wait for—it’s something you can create. She now plans to expand her shop, diversify her products, and increase her customer base, aiming for a sustainable livelihood independent of government hiring cycles.

Her journey stands as a reminder that resilience, creativity, and determination can turn challenges into stepping stones to success.