Innovation NE week underway in Kohima

The Innovation NE Week, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology & Communication and StartUp Nagaland, officially kicked off at NIELIT, Kohima on May 26. The three-day event, from May 26 to 28, will have participants from all the North-eastern states
During the inaugural session, Vice Chancellor and Director General of NIELIT, Dr. Madan Mohan Tripathi, highlighted the organization’s significant role in promoting digital literacy and technical education. He emphasized NIELIT’s reach across India with 56+ centres and 700+ affiliated institutes, offering cutting-edge programs in emerging fields such as AI, Cybersecurity, IoT, AR/VR, Blockchain Technology, and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM). He noted that NIELIT provides educational opportunities ranging from skilling programs to PhD research, and also serves as the national accreditation body for IT and electronics training in India.
In a virtual address, secretary of MeitY, S. Krishnan, expressed the importance of the event in advancing digital literacy and enhancing technical skills in Northeast India. He pointed out that Nagaland has made significant strides in fostering its start-up ecosystem, with 25 start-ups already established. He also highlighted the region’s advantage, citing the large proportion of the population comfortable in English, which he noted is beneficial for economic development.
Krishnan further stated that MeitY is committed to empowering Northeast India through new technology, noting that out of 55 NIELIT centres across India, 20 are located in the Northeast, with Kohima’s NIELIT centre being one of the most active. He also spoke about the government’s ongoing initiatives to support the region, including the establishment of a new semiconductor facility in Assam aimed at generating local employment, which will also benefit Nagaland.
In his remarks, Krishnan highlighted the mission of NIELIT to equip the youth of Northeast India with the skills needed to secure employment and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
He also referenced NIELIT’s capacity-building initiatives, which have trained and benefited nearly 1.79 lakh youth in the region. Concluding his speech, he expressed confidence that the Innovation NE Week would open up new opportunities for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in the Northeast.