Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared on Saturday that Nagaland is experiencing a consistent and purposeful influx of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, marking a significant shift from just a few years ago.
The Turning Point: 2022 CSR Conclave
Speaking at the inauguration of the AI & Future Skills Centre of Excellence at the Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC) in Dimapur, Sitharaman recalled a time when there was a genuine concern that CSR support was not reaching the state. She identified the central government's CSR conclave in Nagaland in 2022 as the pivotal moment that changed this narrative.
"Many companies, some of which had no manufacturing units or service centres in the state, were persuaded to participate and consider Nagaland as a destination for meaningful CSR initiatives," the Finance Minister stated.
Tangible Results on the Ground
Sitharaman pointed to specific, ongoing programmes as clear evidence of this new momentum. She highlighted the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) in Kohima, which she inaugurated on Friday. Here, the Tata Group has committed to training local youth in advanced semiconductor-related technologies, with their experts acting as master trainers.
In Dimapur, the newly opened AI & Future Skills Centre of Excellence was established by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with technical assistance from CYIENT. This centre, created with an investment of Rs 62 lakh, aims to empower Nagaland's youth through a blend of AI-driven learning and practical, hands-on vocational training.
Focus on Aspirational Districts and Credit Outreach
Later, at a press briefing, Sitharaman shared that her tour of the state was heavily focused on a visit to the aspirational district of Kiphire to assess its progress. She elaborated on her approach to such districts, emphasizing integrated financial support.
"Whenever I visit any aspirational district, I take the banks along so that the credit outreach programme can be held where retail loans or farming loans or personal loans or business development loans or startup-related loans or industrial development loans, which are for MSMEs in particular, are all taken up at one go," she explained. The minister also briefed the media on other initiatives undertaken during her three-day visit, which concluded on Saturday.
