Kiphire: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses the BJP’s Aatmnirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan, in Kiphire on Friday, November 14, 2025. (Photo: IANS/X/@nsitharamanoffc)
Morung Express News
Kiphire/Kohima | November 14
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 14 reiterated that the Government of India has placed the North East on top priority, calling it the “heart of India growth and vision,” during a series of programmes and interactions in Kiphire.
Addressing a public gathering, she said Kiphire stands out for its “fascinating history as the land has remained untouched by the British colonial administration which is reflected in your folksongs and folklore, and eloquently shows team work between people and the environment that has defined the region for a very long time.” She said central ministries have been instructed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the region regularly to ensure that departmental work progresses smoothly. She informed that “3613 projects with over 44800 crores has been sanctioned for North East region.”
She stated that Aspirational Districts have been given priority “because people are craving to go forward in their aspirations and their dreams,” which she said she witnessed during interactions with women SHGs. She expressed appreciation to SBI, SIDBI and private sector industries “for coming to Nagaland by providing their CSR fund for the development of state.” The Finance Minister also distributed loan sanction letters and cheques to selected beneficiaries during the gathering.
Earlier, during the Credit Outreach Programme in Kiphire, Sitharaman virtually inaugurated nine bank branches across the Northeast region: SBI Alongmen (Nagaland), SBI Yikhum (Nagaland), NRB Wakching (Nagaland), SBI Gohpur Tinali (Arunachal Pradesh), SBI New Secretariat Imphal (Manipur), SBI Lamphel (Manipur), SBI Borguri (Assam), SBI Barua Bamungaon (Assam), and SBI Silchar Medical College (Assam). She handed over sanction letters to beneficiaries of various Central government schemes. Loans worth Rs 28.02 crore were disbursed to 350 accounts during the outreach. She also flagged off vehicles sanctioned under the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative along with a mobile ATM van of Nagaland Rural Bank, as part of SBI’s CSR initiatives.
Sitharaman visited Anganwadi Centre ‘A’ at Kiphire, where she interacted with Anganwadi Workers, Helpers and children. She handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh under SBI’s CSR initiative to support upgradation of the Centre. She reviewed the implementation of Central schemes and ongoing development projects and welfare initiatives sanctioned to the Aspirational Kiphire District.
She also visited an Anganwadi Centre at Forest Ward, interacted with students, Anganwadi workers and helpers, and inaugurated the Industrial Training Institute Centre in Kiphire. She inaugurated the newly built ITI campus and interacted with students and teachers. As part of SBI’s CSR support, she handed over a cheque of Rs 9 lakh to the ITI for strengthening skill development infrastructure.
The Union Minister visited the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission stalls set up by various Self Help Groups. Sitharaman also graced the Pungro-Kiphire Mandal Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Campaign Vidhansabha Sammelan of the BJP Nagaland as Guest Speaker at Hopongkiu Memorial Hall, Kiphire.
Launches SAMARTH prog at NIELIT
Later, Sitharaman launched the SAMARTH (Students Advancing Mindsets in AI, Robotics, Technology and Digital Hardware) programme at the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Kohima.
Sitharaman also lauded NIELIT Kohima for promoting innovation, emerging technologies and digital empowerment across the Northeast.
The programme commenced with an Exhibition of Innovations by startups and students, featuring AI models, robotics systems, drone prototypes and digital hardware devices.
The Union Minister also visited the India AI Lab and the R&D Cyber Forensics Lab, where she interacted with young innovators and researchers.
During the ceremony, the Minister presented Course Completion Certificates to personnel of the Army Educational Corps, Ministry of Defence, recognising their successful completion of specialised technical training under NIELIT.
Addressing the gathering, L. Lanuwabang, Director of NIELIT, expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for her continued support and reiterated the institute’s commitment to strengthening digital skills and technological capacity in the region.
The programme also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited and NIELIT Kohima, aimed at enhancing semiconductor-related training and fostering industry–academia collaboration in the Northeast.
Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio and his wife hosted State Dinner in honour of Union Finance Minister at State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister's Residential Complex, Kohima.
