Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday inaugurated the AI & Future Skills Centre of Excellence in Dimapur, calling it a significant step towards equipping Naga youth with cutting-edge technological skills.
Addressing the gathering the Minister emphasized that Nagaland is now witnessing a steady flow of purpose-driven Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments, countering earlier concerns that the state was not receiving sufficient CSR support.
Sitharaman recalled that the issue was first raised by an MLA and later by Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio several years ago. “There was a feeling that CSR does not come to Nagaland or that companies find nothing worthy of supporting here. That concern stayed with me,” she said adding, to address this gap, a national-level CSR Conclave was organised in Nagaland in 2022, bringing in companies that had no prior operational presence in the state.
“Since then, a steady flow of CSR is coming into Nagaland, including tailor-made, purpose-driven CSR projects,” she said.
The Finance Minister highlighted two major CSR-backed training initiatives—one at NIELIT Kohima and another at the Nagaland Tool Room and Training Centre (NTTC) in Dimapur—designed to prepare Naga youth for the fast-evolving technology sector.
In Kohima, a central government run institution called the NIELIT, which gives training in electronics related activities.
She said at Kohima, the Tata Group has partnered through CSR to train youth in semiconductor-related technologies, including testing, assembling, packaging, and advanced electronics. Expert trainers from Tata’s semiconductor facility are serving as master trainers, she added.
And here in Dimapur, the state run unit which is the NTTI have each got their own CSR support for training Naga youth in advanced production techniques or in coding or adapting local like handloom like skills that you have to become a lot more AI driven.
In Dimapur, Sitharaman inaugurated the Centre of Excellence supported by the Cyient Foundation, led by industry veteran BVR Mohan Reddy.
She said the initiative was finalized only weeks ago when she requested the foundation to extend its successful skilling programmes—currently running in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam—to Nagaland.
The Finance Minister said that Reddy readily agreed, adding for him to travel all the way to Nagaland is a reflection of his commitment to skilling India’s youth, irrespective of where they live,” she said. She also praised the decision to bring advanced training in AI, robotics, 3D printing, coding, and digital fabrication to the state.
She told the MLA and Advisor, Hekani Jakhalu and Nagaland’s Chief Minister to look at the range of CSR which is coming into Nagaland and also look at the purpose-driven way in which CSR is coming to help the Naga Youth.
Sitharaman stressed that Nagaland’s youth, known for their creativity and craftsmanship, must not be left behind as industries transition towards AI-driven production and high-tech manufacturing.
“Given them the skills not of, you know, things which happen every day, you know, tool rooms for foundry, tool room for making sure some machine components can be repaired. All that is important, they should continue,” she said adding but the new age related manufacturing which happens using AI, using very many, like things like 3D printers and AI itself is going to be transitory.
“AI may be transitory, but for now it is influencing every productive activity because of the efficiencies it brings. Should Naga youth not get it? Why wouldn’t they be trained in it? And why can’t they benefit from the training so that they get jobs…?” she asked.
She noted that the training programmes are open not only to engineering graduates but also to non-engineers, reflecting an inclusive approach to skill development.
The Minister expressed satisfaction at the enthusiasm among trainees, including participants who have travelled from as far as Mon district in eastern Nagaland. She also acknowledged the state government’s cooperation in facilitating the programmes.
She also said that the state government has been very supportive, ensuring all requirements are met so that the inauguration could take place smoothly.
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Sitharaman added that Nagaland’s rich traditions in textiles, woodwork, and handcrafts—examples of which were presented to her during the event—demonstrate the natural creativity of its people.
With access to advanced technological training, she said, Naga youth would be able to contribute meaningfully to their own livelihoods and to India’s goal of building a Viksit Bharat.
Reddy hails Sitharaman’s leadership; urges youth to embrace AI and future technologies
Speaking at the inauguration, Founder Chairman, CYIENT, Chairman board of Governors, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, NIT Warangal and NIT Surathkal, B.V.R. Mohan Reddy lauded Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her decisive role in shaping India’s economic transformation and driving technological advancement across the country.
The Centre has been established through the Cyient Foundation as part of its national-level CSR initiatives focused on digital literacy and advanced technology training.
Highlighting India’s strong economic trajectory, he noted, “We are the fastest-growing large economy in the world with over 7% GDP growth. We have demonstrated fiscal prudence and controlled inflation to around 4.25% last month. At the same time, capital formation and investments for future growth are rising significantly.”
In an emotional tribute, Reddy praised Sitharaman’s wisdom, articulation, and courage.
“With due humility, I see in her the goddess Lakshmi for the wealth creation she fosters, Saraswati for her wisdom and eloquence, and Shakti for the courage with which she stands against untruths. She is a remarkable combination of all three,” he said, drawing applause from the gathering.
Explaining the vision behind the Cyient Foundation—the CSR arm of the Cyient Group—Reddy said the organisation works across India and internationally to ensure that technology is used for social good.
Reddy stressed that the future will increasingly divide people into two groups—those who understand AI and those who do not. “AI may itself be replaced by something else in the future, but technology will continue to evolve rapidly. Computers, communication, sensors, and algorithms are advancing at a pace humanity has never seen before,” he added.
Urging the youth of Nagaland to seize the opportunity provided by the newly inaugurated centre, he said, “Please keep pace with technology. Today you can learn anything, anywhere—through a computer, a phone, or even a friend. Continuously learn, unlearn, and upskill.”
Reddy expressed gratitude to the partners who helped bring the initiative to Nagaland.
New Centre to empower youths: SIDBI
Deputy Managing Director of SIDBI, Sudatta Mandal, in his address, said the newly inaugurated centre would empower the youth of Nagaland by combining AI-driven learning with hands-on vocational training. The centre, established with technical support from SCINT, will initially offer two specialised trades — Handloom & Handicraft and Software Coding & Robotics — with the capacity to train 100 to 150 youths annually in each stream.
Mandal highlighted the crucial role of the handloom and handicrafts sector in Nagaland’s economy. With two dedicated classrooms, the training centre will equip learners with AI-supported software skills, technical expertise, design knowledge, and training in fabric innovation, enabling local artisans to enhance productivity, increase commercial value, and improve market competitiveness.
He further noted that SIDBI has been supporting local industry bodies in Nagaland through its Development of Industry Associations (DIA) programme, under which over 105 industry associations have been on-boarded and 27,000 MSMEs have benefitted. These partnerships, he said, will help connect AI-trained youth with local industries and address the growing demand for skilled technical manpower in Nagaland and across the Northeastern region.
Sitharaman inaugurates projects, reviews SASCI progress in Nagaland
Later, Nirmala Sitharaman virtually inaugurated two SASCI-funded projects – Construction of Multipurpose Hall with amenities at Phek and the construction of Guest House for Administrative Officers at Zunheboto town at Niathu Resort, Chumoukedima.
She also held a review meeting on the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Projects with Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Ministers, TR Zeliang and Y Patton and senior officials from various departments and other dignitaries.
