NE growth driven by PM’s ‘Act-East’ policy: Scindia

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, arrived in Dimapur on Thursday to begin his three-day visit to Nagaland, during which he will unveil key Centrally-funded projects worth over Rs. 400 crore, and participate in major cultural events, including the Hornbill Festival.
Speaking to media persons after landing at Dimapur airport, Scindia said it was a pleasure to be back in Nagaland, a State which, he stated, represents diversity, capability and potential for all of India.
Expressing gratitude to be part of the Hornbill Festival, he described it as a celebration that reflects the history, culture and great potential of Nagaland.
Scindia further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained firm in his resolve of all-round development and all-round progress for the North-East, adding that the Centre’s Act-East, Act-Fast and Act-First policy had delivered rich dividends for the region.
According to Scindia, the allocation of 10% of gross budgetary support, amounting to over Rs. 1 lakh crore annually for North East, along with multiple developmental projects, had been instrumental in unlocking the potential of the region.
Joining the people of Nagaland in what he termed a “period of celebration”, the minister said the Hornbill Festival was not only a commemoration of the State’s history and past, but also recognition of its present and its promising future.
When asked about the recent removal of a DoNER ministry video from its social media platforms following allegations of cultural misappropriation of Naga identity, Scindia said he was not aware of the matter. However, he stated that if it has happened, it certainly was wrong.
He further stressed that the DoNER ministry had always played a crucial role in celebrating diversity of every State in the North-East. “That comes from a sense of profound respect for our people across the 17 tribes of Nagaland and across all eight States of the region,” he stated.
Scindia will attend the foundation stone laying ceremony for multiple DoNER-funded projects, take part in traditional stone-pulling ceremony at Touphema, and later grace the Hornbill Festival at Kisama. On December 6, he is scheduled to visit the Heirloom Naga Centre at Sovima.
The minister was received by minister Jacob Zhimomi and advisor Moatoshi Longkumer along with senior government officials and representatives of various departments.
Scindia pays tribute at Kohima War Cemetery: Scindia, who arrived in Kohima, paid tribute at the Kohima War Cemetery, accompanied by Tourism and Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along and officials. He was received by the Assam Rifles, after which he laid a wreath and inspected the memorial.
Speaking to media, Scindia said he was honouring the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives so future generations could live “peacefully, freely and in a democratic environment,” adding that his “head was bowed in respect” to those who fought in the Battle of Kohima.
He recalled that several forces involved in the 1944 campaign had trained in Gwalior and mentioned his grandfather’s role during that period. Scindia said his bond with Nagaland and its 17 tribes was one he felt “personally and from the heart”.
Stating that he had come with the commitment of the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards Nagaland’s progress, Scindia reiterated the PM’s vision of the Northeast as the “Ashtalakshmi of India”.
According to him, the Northeastern states had recorded a compounded annual growth rate of 10–12% over the decade, supported by rapid expansion in airports, highways, telecom, ports and cross-border connectivity. He said the region’s young population had the potential to drive future growth.
Scindia said he looked forward to the project inaugurations on December 5. He informed that five projects worth nearly Rs. 250 crore had already been inaugurated and foundation stones would be laid for another 10 projects costing around Rs. 422 crore, taking the total to about Rs. 650 crore. He added that more initiatives were underway and said he was working closely with chief minister Neiphiu Rio.