Kohima: The Innovation North East (NE) Week 2025 began on a promising note Monday, with a strong focus on Nagaland’s growing capabilities in innovation, digital technology, and entrepreneurship. The inaugural session signaled the state’s rising profile as a potential digital powerhouse in the Northeast and beyond.
Delivering the keynote address virtually, S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), praised Nagaland’s advancements in emerging sectors such as food processing, tourism, and services. Highlighting the state’s skilled and English-proficient youth, Krishnan called them a valuable national asset in the digital age. “Equipping the youth of the Northeast with modern digital skills is not only necessary but a critical investment in India’s future,” he said.
Krishnan also pointed to the strategic importance of the region in India’s digital growth story, citing that 20 of the country’s 55 National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) centres are located in the Northeast. This, he said, underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive digital empowerment.
The opening day also saw the signing of three key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region. NIELIT Kohima signed an MoU with Vignan TBI to enhance startup incubation and market access for local entrepreneurs. Another MoU with SPJIMR, Mumbai, will boost mentorship and institutional capacity-building efforts. A third agreement with the ACIC IIT (ISM) Foundation, Dhanbad, is designed to foster grassroots entrepreneurship and strengthen local innovation capabilities.
The event’s opening showcased not just policy intent but also the momentum building across Nagaland to harness digital innovation as a driver of socio-economic growth.