Nagaland chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio inaugurated Centre of Excellence Industry 4.0 Srujan at Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC) here at the New Industrial Estate, on Friday.
NTTC has partnered with Bharat Forge Limited and SimuSoft Technologies to open the centre of excellence under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of M/s Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), Pune.
The centre is the first of its kind in the north eastern region focusing on new-age technology to align with modern industry practices.
In his speech, Rio expressed confidence in the success of the partnership, stating that it reflected Nagaland’s commitment to innovation and future with confidence.
He said BFL partnered with NTTC in September 2024 recognising the untapped potential of Naga youth.
He mentioned that the centre would train over 500 youth annually in advanced technologies like robotics, AI, 3D simulation, automation, and smart factories.
He highlighted that the new facility was not just about modern equipment but about turning challenges into opportunities. It aimed to ensure that the youth were not left behind in the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” and aligned with global industrial trends.
He expressed deep gratitude to BFL chairman Babasaheb N Kalyani for believing in the potential of Naga youth, urging the company to be ambassadors and encouraging others to explore the region’s talent and promise.
He described the new centre as a playground of possibilities, job creation, and entrepreneurship in fields like tech and AI-driven agriculture, pledging the state government’s full support to the NTTC in advancing sustainable and technological growth.
Rio maintained that the skills gained from the centre would not only help secure jobs but also create new ones, adding that it would be a launchpad for tech ventures, AI-driven agriculture, and community-focused solutions.
He assured the principal and staff of NTTC that the government would extend all possible support in their endeavours to achieve sustainable, innovative, and technological development.
He commended the Department of Industries & Commerce under the leadership of advisor Hekani Jakhalu for their progress, expressing confidence in their ability to attract industry giants, investors, and unlock resources for the state’s all-round development.
He termed the initiative as a shining example of what could be achieved when the government, industry, and academia collaborated, describing the centre as an ecosystem where start-ups would thrive with mentorship, research addressed local challenges, and Nagaland became a hub for Industry 4.0 talent in the Northeast.
While the government would continue supporting such initiatives, he remarked that its true success would depend on the innovators, thinkers, and doers.
Industries & Commerce director and CEO of NTTC, P. Tokugha Sema gave a brief note about the centre, highlighting the NTTC’s journey since its founding in 2006 — from bridging the gap between education and employment to becoming a hub for advanced technology and innovation.
Over 19 years, he disclosed that the NTTC trained over 10,000 youth with a with a remarkable 70% placement record, introduced industry-relevant courses, supported rural innovation, expanded to remote areas, and fostered entrepreneurship through incubation centers under Start-up Nagaland and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) under the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship.
He reflected on the NTTC’s transformation from a small tool room into a cutting-edge technology hub, aligning with Nagaland’s aspirations. With the addition of Industry 4.0 tools like AI, robotics, and 3D printing, he claimed that the centre was future proofing youth for digital industrial revolution.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to BFL for investing and believing in Nagaland, SimuSoft Technologies for turning blueprints into reality and the state government, particularly chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and adviser Hekani Jakhalu, for constant support — from providing high-end computers to policy guidance.
He shared that the Centre of Excellence aimed to train 500 youth annually in advanced technologies, support start-ups through incubation, and serve as a model for the Northeast, leveraging partnerships with NEC and MSME. However, he stressed that infrastructure alone was not enough, as success depended on strong industry linkages, expert mentorship, and sustainable programmes.
He encouraged students to use the centre as a playground of possibilities and impact, reminding them that real change came through collaboration.
In her welcome speech, advisor Industries & Commerce Jakhalu emphasised embracing Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, robotics, and automation, acknowledging that while the concepts might be new to many in Nagaland, the state could not afford to be left behind.
She said the Centre of Excellence was established to equip youth with future-ready skills and create job opportunities.
She extended gratitude to the chief minister for his leadership, BFL chairman Babasaheb N Kalyani and top management for the partnership, SimuSoft Technologies for technical support and collaboration, and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for facilitating key connections.
She thanked associate vice-president (HR) and head CSR Dr Leena Deshpande for her crucial role in bringing the project to life, pointing out that she introduced an upcoming end-to-end programme with German companies, aiming to train and place youth in jobs in Germany, including language preparation.
Jakhalu stated that Nagaland would be the frontrunner in Industry 4.0, expressing confidence that the centre and its programmes would succeed. She remarked that the initiative was expected to transform the state’s tech landscape and provide meaningful jobs for the youth.
SimuSoft Technologies chairman and managing director Sunil Sitaram Chore gave a short presentation on the occasion, while associate Dr Leena Deshpande and BFL executive director BP Kalyani delivered short speeches.
The programme was chaired by Industries & Commerce secretary Kumar Ramnikant, invocation by Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur principal Rev Fr Renthungo N Odyuo, and concluding remarks by NTTC principal Petehetuo Miasalhou.