Dr Jitendra Singh Calls for Tech Push in Northeast

18 Jun 2025 CW Team

Dr Singh emphasised that scientific advancement must extend beyond India’s central hubs and penetrate the Northeast, tapping into its untapped potential. He highlighted the area’s rich biodiversity and identified agriculture, allied sectors, tourism, and film production as pivotal for sustainable development.

He hailed the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in Wokha, where banana cultivation has gained national acclaim. He suggested this model be scaled up commercially to harness local strengths and stimulate the economy.

The Minister also announced a 15‑day saturation campaign to maximise uptake of government flagship schemes across India, with the Northeast to receive focused attention. He noted how northeastern youth have begun entering national aviation and hospitality sectors—an achievement unthinkable just a decade ago. He also paid tribute to the resilience of two young women from Manipur in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad air crash, observing how far the region has come.

Dr Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the Northeast, citing his seventy visits to the region since 2014. He described the Northeast as a key driver in realising a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

He encouraged youth and women to assume leadership, noting that "In the Northeast, women have always led" in managing markets and households. He envisioned self-help groups fostering livelihoods and confidence, while drawing inspiration from women scientists who fronted missions like Chandrayaan and Aditya L‑1.

Concluding, Dr Singh stated that India’s ambition to become a top-three global economy hinges upon activating underexplored regions like the Northeast.

Regional leaders and officials from institutions including the Department of Science & Technology, Biotechnology, Earth Sciences, and the Survey of India joined the discussions.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, convened a high-level meeting in Wokha district, Nagaland, bringing together northeastern science and technology institutes and key government departments. The aim was to review recent progress and chart future innovation strategies tailored to the region.Dr Singh emphasised that scientific advancement must extend beyond India’s central hubs and penetrate the Northeast, tapping into its untapped potential. He highlighted the area’s rich biodiversity and identified agriculture, allied sectors, tourism, and film production as pivotal for sustainable development.He hailed the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in Wokha, where banana cultivation has gained national acclaim. He suggested this model be scaled up commercially to harness local strengths and stimulate the economy.The Minister also announced a 15‑day saturation campaign to maximise uptake of government flagship schemes across India, with the Northeast to receive focused attention. He noted how northeastern youth have begun entering national aviation and hospitality sectors—an achievement unthinkable just a decade ago. He also paid tribute to the resilience of two young women from Manipur in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad air crash, observing how far the region has come.Dr Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the Northeast, citing his seventy visits to the region since 2014. He described the Northeast as a key driver in realising a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.He encouraged youth and women to assume leadership, noting that In the Northeast, women have always led in managing markets and households. He envisioned self-help groups fostering livelihoods and confidence, while drawing inspiration from women scientists who fronted missions like Chandrayaan and Aditya L‑1.Concluding, Dr Singh stated that India’s ambition to become a top-three global economy hinges upon activating underexplored regions like the Northeast.Regional leaders and officials from institutions including the Department of Science & Technology, Biotechnology, Earth Sciences, and the Survey of India joined the discussions.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..