Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday inaugurated the JSW Women-centric Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre established by the JSW Foundation at the Integrated Business Hub & Innovation Centre (IBHIC) in Forest Colony, describing the initiative as a major step towards inclusive growth, skill development, and empowerment of women in Nagaland.
JSW Shakti Women-Centric BPO at Dimapur, the first facility of its kind in the North-East, has been established under the JSW Shakti initiative, a flagship programme of the JSW Foundation that operates women-only BPO centres across rural India.
The initiative aims to create localized employment opportunities and promote economic independence for women above 18 years of age through structured training and IT-enabled services.
Addressing the inaugural programme, Rio said the initiative symbolizes a shared commitment between the state government and corporate partners to create employment opportunities and strengthen the skill ecosystem in the state. He highlighted that Nagaland’s greatest strength lies in its people, particularly the youth and women, who are educated, adaptable and eager to contribute, adding the most outstanding are women, who have always played a vital and dynamic role in the society.
He reiterated the commitment of the Government to creating a training and enabling environment where women can participate fully in the modern economy.
The Chief Minister noted that the partnership with the JSW Foundation materialized after prolonged engagement and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, recalling the state delegation’s visit to the JSW steel plant in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. He said the visit showcased the scale of JSW’s industrial presence and its commitment to social responsibility, adding that it was a matter of pride that the corporation had shown interest in investing in Nagaland.
Congratulating the 125 women selected for the first BPO centre in the state, Rio said the selection reflects the talent and capability of Naga youth. He mentioned that the JSW team was impressed with the performance of local candidates during interviews, further reinforcing confidence in the state’s human resource potential.
Rio also lauded the leadership of JSW Foundation Chairperson Sangita Jindal for her organization’s work in livelihood generation, education, and community development across the country. He expressed regret that she could not attend the inauguration but expressed hope that she would visit the state after the centre becomes fully operational.
Highlighting the broader objectives of the project, the Chief Minister said the collaboration between the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and the JSW Foundation focuses on skills, technology, and environmental sustainability, which are crucial for building a resilient and future-ready workforce. He said the BPO centre would particularly benefit underprivileged women by providing them training and employment opportunities, thereby contributing to their economic and social empowerment.
Rio also acknowledged the role of IDAN, led by Abu Metha, in promoting investment and partnerships for the state. He said IDAN has been instrumental in positioning Nagaland beyond its geographical boundaries and facilitating meaningful collaborations that generate employment opportunities.
Speaking about employment challenges, the Chief Minister pointed out that many Naga youths are compelled to seek jobs outside the state due to limited opportunities at home. He said the establishment of the BPO centre represents a positive beginning in creating local employment avenues and enabling youths to work closer to their families.
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Rio further said the government remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance skill development and employment generation. He assured that the state government would extend full support to JSW and other corporate partners interested in investing in Nagaland.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the significance of the IBHIC facility, stating that the complex, located within the Forest Department premises, was earlier lying underutilized. He said the government conceptualized the infrastructure to attract investment and create employment platforms, adding that the BPO initiative marks the beginning of transforming the complex into a hub of economic activity.
Expressing optimism about the project’s long-term impact, Rio said partnerships between the public and private sectors can create sustainable and scalable opportunities. He said the initiative would inspire confidence among young people that meaningful career opportunities can be developed within the state itself.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Operating Officer of JSW Shakti BPO, Rahul Dev described the establishment of the BPO centre in Nagaland as a landmark initiative aimed at generating employment, empowering women, and bringing professional opportunities closer to local youth.
Dev said the project marks the first major initiative by JSW Shakti BPO in the Northeast region. He informed that JSW Shakti operates across three major verticals, including BPO services, tailoring units, and Bunkaai, a rural handicraft support initiative.
Dev credited the initiative to the vision and guidance of Sangita Jindal, stating that the project was conceptualized around six months ago following discussions with stakeholders. He also recalled the visit of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to JSW’s facility in Vijayanagar, Karnataka, where the state leadership expressed interest in establishing a similar world-class facility in Nagaland.
He thanked the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) for providing space at the Integrated Business Hub and Innovation Centre, describing the infrastructure as comparable to international BPO standards. Dev remarked that the newly established centre offers advanced technological infrastructure and a professional working environment designed to meet global service delivery standards.
Highlighting operational plans, Dev announced that the first process to be launched from the centre will be for Zepto, noting that JSW Shakti BPO has already built a successful partnership with the company.
Dev further stated that JSW Shakti BPO currently operates four centres across India, including facilities in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and two in Karnataka. He said the Nagaland centre represents the organization’s first venture into the Northeast and expressed optimism that the facility would expand beyond its current 125-seat capacity, adding that discussions for future expansion have already begun.
Dev observed that many young people from Nagaland migrate outside the state in search of employment and expressed confidence that the new BPO facility would help reverse this trend by providing professional opportunities locally. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with JSW Shakti’s broader philosophy of creating employment opportunities within communities and strengthening regional economies.
Reaffirming the women-centric focus of the project, Dev said the BPO centre reflects Sangita Jindal’s vision of empowering women through skill development, employment generation, and financial independence. He encouraged the newly recruited employees to contribute positively to society, their families, and the nation by utilising the opportunities provided through the initiative.
Chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, described the launch of the women-centric Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facility as a landmark step towards employment generation and socio-economic transformation in Nagaland.
Addressing the gathering, Metha expressed gratitude to the JSW Foundation and JSW Shakti BPO for establishing the facility, which he said would initially provide employment to 125 people. He stated that the salary range at the centre would begin at around Rs 13,000 and could go beyond Rs 80,000, adding that the entire investment for setting up the facility has been undertaken by JSW Shakti and the JSW Foundation under their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Metha informed that nearly Rs 6 crore has already been invested in the first phase to develop a world-class infrastructure. He said the vision of the project goes beyond the initial 125 seats, revealing that discussions are underway to expand the BPO footprint in the state, including possible expansion to Kohima, with a target of reaching at least 500 seats in the coming months.
Highlighting the pace of execution, Metha noted that the project was grounded and inaugurated within six months of its conceptualisation, crediting the dedicated efforts of IDAN and the commitment of the JSW institutions. He expressed confidence that the facility would significantly impact employment opportunities and skill development in the state.
Metha also pointed out that many Naga youths are currently working across the country under challenging conditions, often facing workplace difficulties, racial discrimination, and emotional stress associated with staying away from home. He said one of the key objectives of the BPO is to enable young people to return home and build sustainable careers while staying close to their families.
