Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uplifting Northeast states and Aspirational Districts like Kiphire, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive development.

Addressing a gathering, at Public Ground, Kiphire,  Sitharaman praised Kiphire’s rich history, untouched by British occupation, and lauded Nagaland’s harmony with nature. “Our environment is our greatest strength,” she said, emphasizing the region’s potential.

She spotlighted Saramati, Kiphire’s proud peak, as a symbol of hope, and noted Thanamir village’s unique apple cultivation at 2,000 meters the only such site in Northeast.

“Thanamir apples are delicious, unlike those in Delhi markets,” she remarked, expressing a desire to visit Pungro’s lime caves and the Zingki river, advocating water sports and rafting facilities to showcase Nagaland’s “true beauty and adventure spirit.”

Citing PM Modi’s 17 visits to the Northeast and over 700 visits by central ministers, she credited the Rising North East Summit for boosting regional growth.

“Aspirational Districts like Kiphire are a top priority,” she said, announcing the inauguration of nine banks across the Northeast out of which, three in Nagaland.

“In 2019, many Nagaland villages lacked banks; today, rapid expansion is evident,” she added, appreciating SIDBI, NABARD, and SBI for their CSR efforts.

Quoting PM Modi, “Every border village is a frontier village, a place where development begins, not ends,” Sitharaman said India envisions 2047 with Nagaland as a key part of the journey.

She urged youths of Nagaland to leverage opportunities from Dimapur to Kohima and beyond to “skill up, grow, and shape the future.”

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FM visits Anganwadi Centre

Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, GoI, Nirmala Sitharaman with officials and anganwadi workers during her visited to Anganwadi Centre ‘A’ at Kiphire

Earlier, this morning Sitharaman visited the Anganwadi Centre ‘A’ at Kiphire and held a brief interaction with the local Anganwadi Workers, Helpers and Children. She also handed over a cheque provided by the State Bank of India (SBI) and reviewed the implementation of Central Schemes; the on-going development projects and welfare initiatives sanctioned to the Aspirational Kiphire District.

Director of Social Welfare Department, Nagaland, Tosheli Zhimomi moderated the programme, delivered the welcome address and also highlighted the background of the Anganwadi Centres in the District.

Advisor S Kiusumew Yimchunger, Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards & Civil Defence and a host of dignitaries attended the programme.

Later, Sitharaman also graced the Pungro-Kiphire Mandal Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Campaign Vidhansabha Sammelan of the BJP Nagaland, as the Guest Speaker at Hopongkiu Memorial Hall, Kiphire.

Sitharaman was accompanied by Temjen Imna Along, Minister for Tourism & Higher Education, Minister for Housing & Mechanical Engineering, Bashangmongba Chang; Pintu M Ghosh, State Secretary & Co-Convenor, Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan; Zaremo Kikon, State Vice President & Convenor, Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan and a host of dignitaries.

She later inaugurated the ITI, Industrial Training Institute, Kiphire, alongside MLA Moatoshi Longkumer and Kiusumew Yimchunger.