Nagaland Governor La Ganesan on Sunday highlighted several development initiatives undertaken by the state government including serious attempts to resolve the demand of ENPO as well as secure a permanent solution to the long pending Naga political issue.
Addressing the 76th Republic Day celebrations at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza here, Sun-day, the Governor also claimed that substantial progress had been made with regard to address the aspirations of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) regarding the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) and expressed the hope that outstanding concerns would be resolved in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.
He also disclosed that the state government had submitted its comments on the third draft of the Memorandum of Settlement on the proposed FNTA to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He also mentioned about the state government’s commitment towards resolving the Naga political issue, emphasizing the progress made through sustained dialogue.
He said the state government was sparing no effort to resolve the Naga political issue, pointing out that chief minister Neiphiu Rio, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues, had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 21, 2024, conveying the Naga people’s desire for an early solution of the Naga political issue.
Reflecting on 75 years of the Indian Constitution, he highlighted how its ideals have guided the nation toward progress and development. Governor acknowledged the resilience of the Constitution and the wisdom of its framers, particularly Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee. He emphasized that the Constitution, rooted in the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity, has consistently fulfilled the democratic aspirations of the people.
Ganesan also recalled the significance of December 1, 1963, when Nagaland attained statehood through the 13th Constitutional Amendment. “With statehood, we became equal partners in the journey of peace and progress in the true spirit of cooperative federalism. We could write our own destiny and run our own affairs in the best interest of the land and its people,” he stated.
He further noted that special provisions under Article 371-A were inserted to safeguard Nagaland’s unique traditions, customs, and governance systems.
The Governor urged the people to honor the ideals of the Constitution and continue contributing to the state’s growth and harmony. Noting that India had made huge progress, he however emphasised that concerted efforts were required from all concerned in the fields of education and human development to make the country truly developed by 2047.
He said Nagaland was taking many initiatives in the education sector, with the central information portal Education Information Management System (EMIS) containing comprehensive data of all students, teachers, schools, and education offices in the State being developed by NECTAR in collaboration with the departments concerned.
He mentioned that Pre-primary/Early Childhood Care and Education were integrated in 1,723 government schools in 2024-25, wherein ECCE curriculum in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 developed by the state was introduced. He said training programmes for ECCE teachers had been conducted to ensure that they were well-equipped with the new curriculum.
He disclosed that the SCERT had developed teacher learning materials and documented audio visual in five schools for supporting the implementation of the new Nagaland Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum.
Ganesan stated that the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) launched in October 2022 was growing in strength, and revealed that 65 hospitals each both within and outside the state had been empanelled under the scheme. He said altogether 10,317 individuals had benefited from the CMHIS, with 14,670 treatments being undertaken amounting to Rs 59.77 crore in 2024-25.
Similarly, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (ABPM-JAY), 76 hospitals had been empanelled within Nagaland. Altogether 21,415 individuals had benefited from the scheme, with 26,559 treatments undertaken amounting to Rs49.13 crore in 2024-25.
Under the Chief Minister’s Universal Life Insurance Scheme (CMLIS), he mentioned that a budget allocation of Rs 15 crore was made, and 13 families had availed insurance benefits under the scheme till December 10, 2024.
He said Ayushman Arogya Shivir, a monthly health mela, was being conducted regularly, and 669 health melas had been conducted till November 2024, which had 17,480 footfalls.
Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, 25 existing Anganwadi centres were upgraded to Saksham Anganwadi under Kiphire ICDS Project. Under Mission Vatsalya, five district child protection units (DCPU) and 10 new Child Helpline centres had been established across different districts.
Under Mission Shakti, there were 11 functional Sakhi Niwas (working women hostel), while district hubs for empowerment of women had been established in 16 districts.
In 2024-25, the Department of Women Resources Development initiated the Protection and Promotion of Tribal Designs Project, which aimed to promote and safeguard the rich traditional attires and modern textile designs. Beneficiaries from all the 17 major tribes were selected to undergo training on weaving (fly shuttle loom).
Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, Ganesan announced that development of an integrated web-based Geo-portal and mobile application based on geo-cloud-oriented architecture, and introduction to smart farming concepts using drone technology, IoT, GIS and remote sensing were being under-taken and would be launched shortly.
He mentioned that under PM-KISAN, 2,21,931 farmers had been benefitted till October 31, 2024,and Rs 620 crore had been directly credited in their individual bank accounts as on November 31, 2024.
Under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCDNER), he revealed that the state had covered 30,500 ha area under organic cultivation, while 31,104 farmers had benefitted from 53 FPOs/FPCs formed under MOVCD.
He also applauded the success of the 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival, noting it as one of the most impactful editions to date.
The programme was followed by presentation of awards, march past led by Limaonen deputy commandant 4th NAP, with Sara Tokiu Dy. SP as second in-command.
Highlights of the event included cultural by Angami, Ao, Konyak, Sangtam, Rengma and Zeliang cultural troupes, who enthralled the audience with their traditional folk songs and dances. A special medley by children’s choir ‘Bright Lights’ from Dimapur, ‘Vande Mataram’ dance performance by Women Resource Development department and taekwondo display by Youth Resources and Sports Department.
The governor then flagged off the Chief Minister’s Mobile Operation Theatre, which was followed by inauguration of exhibition stalls. Later, an exhibition football match was also held between Az-tecs and ZhadimaYouth.