Union Minister for Communications & Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia, arrived in Nagaland today on a three-day visit during which he will attend the Hornbill Festival and also inaugurate and lay foundation stones for key projects under his ministry.
Speaking to reporters at Dimapur Airport, Scindia said he was honoured to be in Nagaland, describing the State as a symbol of “diversity, capability and immense potential” for the entire country. The Hornbill Festival, he added, stands as a testament to Nagaland’s rich history and cultural vibrancy.
Highlighting the Centre’s commitment to the Northeast, Scindia said Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains firm in his resolve for all-round development and progress of the region. He noted that the Prime Minister’s “Act East, Act Fast and Act First” policy has yielded “very rich dividends,” reflected in enhanced connectivity, infrastructure and economic activity across the eight Northeastern states.
He further informed that the Government has extended 10% of its gross budgetary support to the region—amounting to over ₹1 lakh crore annually—alongside multiple developmental projects aimed at unlocking the potential of the Northeast, which the Prime Minister refers to as Ashtalakshmi.
When asked about the recent error on the DoNER Ministry’s website attributing an incorrect GI tag to the Naga King Chilli—an issue that received public criticism before the entry was deleted—Scindia said he was unaware of the matter. “It is certainly wrong if that has happened, but it’s not something I am aware of,” he stated.
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He maintained that the DoNER Ministry has consistently celebrated the culture, identity and diversity of all Northeastern states, including Nagaland. “That comes from a sense of profound respect for our people across the 17 tribes of Nagaland and for every community across all eight states of the Northeast,” he added.
On December 5, the Union Minister would inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple MDoNER projects at Phezou Conference Hall, Touphema Village at 1 p.m. In the evening, he would visit Naga Heritage Village Kisama for the Hornbill Festival.
On December 6, he would visit Heirloom Naga Centre, Nagaland at 11.30 a.m.
