Nagaland: FM Nirmala Sitharaman calls Northeast 'heart of India,' launches key projects
Guwahati: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 14 emphasized that the Government of India considers the Northeast a top priority, calling it the “heart of India’s growth and vision” during her visit to Nagaland's Kiphire.
Speaking at a public event, she highlighted Kiphire’s rich cultural heritage, noting that the area largely remained untouched during British rule, which is reflected in local folklore and folk songs.
She added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed central ministries to visit the region regularly to ensure smooth implementation of projects.
Sitharaman informed that a total of 3,613 projects worth over Rs 44,800 crore have been sanctioned for the Northeast.
She also stressed the importance of Aspirational Districts, noting that people in these areas are eager to pursue their dreams.
During her visit, she interacted with women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) and appreciated the support of SBI, SIDBI, and private sector industries for contributing CSR funds to Nagaland’s development.
Earlier, during the Credit Outreach Programme in Kiphire, the Minister virtually inaugurated nine bank branches across the Northeast: SBI Alongmen, SBI Yikhum, and NRB Wakching in Nagaland; SBI Gohpur Tinali in Arunachal Pradesh; SBI New Secretariat Imphal and SBI Lamphel in Manipur; and SBI Borguri, SBI Barua Bamungaon, and SBI Silchar Medical College in Assam.
Loans totaling Rs 28.02 crore were disbursed to 350 accounts, and vehicles sanctioned under the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative, along with a mobile ATM van of Nagaland Rural Bank, were flagged off as part of SBI’s CSR efforts.
She later inaugurated the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Centre in Kiphire. As part of SBI’s CSR support, she handed over Rs 9 lakh to the ITI for strengthening skill development infrastructure and interacted with students and teachers.
The Minister also visited stalls set up by Self Help Groups under the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission and attended the Pungro-Kiphire Mandal Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Campaign as the guest speaker at Hopongkiu Memorial Hall.
Sitharaman launched the SAMARTH (Students Advancing Mindsets in AI, Robotics, Technology, and Digital Hardware) programme at NIELIT Kohima, praising the institute for promoting innovation, emerging technologies, and digital skills across the Northeast.
The event included an exhibition of AI models, robotics systems, drone prototypes, and other digital hardware developed by students and startups.
She also visited the India AI Lab and the R&D Cyber Forensics Lab, interacting with young innovators and researchers.
Course completion certificates were presented to Army Educational Corps personnel for successfully finishing specialized technical training under NIELIT.
During the programme, an MoU was signed between Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited and NIELIT Kohima to enhance semiconductor training and promote industry–academia collaboration in the region.
The visit concluded with a state dinner hosted by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his wife at the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister's Residential Complex, Kohima, in honor of Union Minister Sitharaman.