Union Minister Jitendra Singh convenes meeting of all science & technology institutes and reviews progress of institutes in Northeast

New Delhi, June 17: Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS in the Prime Minister Office, Deptt. of Space and Atomic Energy chaired a high-level review meeting of all science and technology institutes operating in the Northeast, along with key departments of the Nagaland government, in Wokha district on Tuesday, said a statement from Ministry of Science & Technology.

New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS in the Prime Minister Office, Deptt. of Space and Atomic Energy chaired a high-level review meeting of all science and technology institutes operating in the Northeast, along with key departments of the Nagaland government, in Wokha district on Tuesday, said a statement from Ministry of Science & Technology.

During the meeting, Dr Singh emphasised the recent breakthroughs achieved in the region due to an enabling ecosystem fostered by the Government's strong inclination towards science, technology and innovation.

He reiterated the importance of not limiting scientific advancement to central areas but expanding it actively into peripheral and remote regions -- particularly the Northeastern states, which hold immense untapped potential.

Dr. Singh highlighted the rich biodiversity of the region and identified agriculture and allied sectors, along with tourism and film production, as key focus areas for sustainable growth. Praising Wokha District, he noted its success under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme with Banana cultivation, which has brought national recognition to the area.

"This model can be scaled to a larger commercial level, boosting the local economy while showcasing the region's unique strengths," he said.

He further shared that a 15-day nationwide saturation campaign for flagship government schemes is being launched, aimed at achieving maximum reach and inclusion. Reflecting on the transformative changes of the last decade, he pointed out that youth from Nagaland and Manipur are now actively recruited into aviation and hospitality industries, which was unthinkable earlier.

"In fact, the recent tragic air crash in Ahmedabad included two young girls from Manipur -- a solemn reminder of how far the region has come," he said with emotion.

Dr. Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consistent prioritisation of the Northeast, sharing that the PM has visited the region at least 70 times since 2014. "His goal was to break both mental and physical barriers that distanced the region from the mainstream," Singh remarked.

He urged youth and women to take leadership roles. "In the Northeast, women have always led -- from managing fish markets to running households. Now is the time to form self-help groups, generate livelihood, and build confidence," he said.

He recalled that women scientists led missions like Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, and others -- adding that in the Northeast, the culture of women leadership is already embedded.

Concluding the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India's economic rise to the top three economies globally will be fuelled by unexplored and underexplored regions like the Northeast, aligning with the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The meeting was attended by Nagaland MLA Dr Chumben Murry, Advisor to the Chief Minister, and senior officials from premier scientific institutions under the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Survey of India, among others.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.

Finally seeing some serious focus on Northeast development! The banana cultivation success in Wokha shows what's possible when local strengths are nurtured. Hope more such initiatives come up across all NE states. 🙌

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Priya M.

While I appreciate the focus on science in Northeast, I wish they'd share more concrete details about the "breakthroughs" mentioned. What exactly has been achieved? More transparency would build greater public trust in these initiatives.

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Arjun S.

The Northeast is India's hidden gem! Its biodiversity can be a game-changer for pharma and agriculture research. Good to see women leadership being highlighted too - the region has so much untapped potential. Jai Hind!

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Neha T.

As someone from Nagaland, I'm cautiously optimistic. We've heard many promises before. The ODOP scheme is working well, but we need sustained investment in education and infrastructure to truly bridge the gap with mainland India.

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Sanjay R.

The mention of NE youth in aviation is heartening! But we must ensure these opportunities reach all sections of society. Also, science institutes should collaborate more with local communities - traditional knowledge + modern science = powerful combo!

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Meena P.

Tourism and film production in Northeast? Brilliant idea! The stunning landscapes could be India's answer to Switzerland. But first, improve connectivity and basic amenities. And please promote eco-tourism, not mass tourism that damages the environment.

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