Northeast India: The Emerging Epicenter of Development and Growth
Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, proclaimed the Northeast region as the “new epicentre of India’s development journey” during his keynote address at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025. He emphasized the region’s pivotal role in transforming the nation’s growth trajectory. Chaudhary highlighted the Northeast’s vibrant transition from being marginalized to becoming a significant force in India’s future, citing Mizoram’s achievement of 100% literacy and the entrepreneurial spirit of its youth.
The summit, recognized as the largest investment dialogue ever convened in the region, attracted global investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. It aimed to promote collaboration between government policies, private investments, and grassroots innovation. This convergence reflected a growing recognition of the Northeast as a hub for sustainable development.
Chaudhary introduced the ‘Skilling for AI Readiness’ (SOAR) programme, a joint initiative by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Education, and NCVET. The programme prepares Indian youth for an AI-driven future by fostering the development of indigenous AI models and promoting ethical innovation. “The future lies in AI. Through SOAR, we aim to equip students with the right tools and mindset to innovate responsibly,” he remarked, underscoring the Northeast’s collective spirit as a game-changer in this arena.
The Minister also spotlighted impactful success stories from the region. He mentioned Assam’s Bhabhendra Mohan Borgohain, who organized 500 tea growers into a Farmer Producer Company, establishing a facility to process 100,000 kg of organic and specialty tea annually. Another instance is Merina Lahiri, who leads 300 women farmers and 15 artisans in producing sustainable Eri Silk products, recognized nationally for their environmentally conscious practices. “These stories represent a broader economic revival driven by green enterprise and local leadership,” Chaudhary added.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to long-term structural reforms, he stressed the need for building world-class institutions and strengthening ecosystems to accelerate investments in the region’s youth. “Let us move from pilots to platforms, from isolated efforts to systemic transformation,” he asserted.
The summit also featured the ‘Udyamita Se Atmanirbhar’ Pavilion, showcasing eight outstanding entrepreneurs trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE). These entrepreneurs, from diverse sectors including agro-processing and eco-tourism, exemplified the success of Skill India initiatives. Since 2015, over 49,000 youth in the region have benefited from apprenticeship opportunities, with more than 300,000 individuals participating in entrepreneurship development programs under MSDE, where women represent over 75% of participants.
The Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 stands as a pivotal platform uniting stakeholders from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. With sessions dedicated to tourism, agriculture, logistics, the digital economy, and green enterprises, this summit aims to establish the region as a cornerstone for sustainable and inclusive development.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/northeast-new-epicentre-of-indias-development-growth-minister-jayant-chaudhary-1218727-2025-05-24?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-05-24 21:07:00