Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Kohima on a three‑day trip to Nagaland and fired up the region’s youth about their future role in building India.
During a lively welcome in Kohima, she launched the SAMARTH program—Students Advancing Mindsets in AI, Robotics, Technology and Digital Hardware—at the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT). The portal and the event aimed to give students hands‑on experience with AI and robotics, and to spark a culture of innovation.
Sitharaman urged students to stay united, focused and positive, warning against drugs, bullying and other negative influences. “Today’s youth will shape India’s foundation for 2047,” she told the crowd.
While touring a startup showcase, the minister visited the India AI Lab and the R&D Cyber Forensics Lab. She met with students and faculty, emphasizing that early exposure to artificial intelligence is essential for tomorrow’s skills. The finance minister also distributed three AI training kits to student beneficiaries and sealed a new memorandum of understanding between TSAT and NIELIT.
She highlighted how the Northeast is ready for new‑age industries. “Skills, training and enthusiasm here position the region strongly for sectors like coal, cement, renewable energy, green hydrogen and semiconductors,” she said, noting that improved multimodal transport and logistics are removing old connectivity barriers.
On gender and finance, the minister spoke to women, especially in the Northeast, about expanding their understanding of modern financial tools. She encouraged women to try small savings instruments, explore the stock market, and take advantage of collateral‑free loan schemes. She also promoted the PM Vatsalya scheme, which lets families save from a child’s birth to later convert those savings into a provident fund and pension benefits.
When asked about digital learning in rural areas, she praised the rapid growth of the BharatNet programme, which is extending optical fibre to schools, post offices and hospitals. She added that 5G is already live across the country and that both public and private networks aim to bring coverage to remote regions.
The finance minister also talked about the government’s plans to launch a centralised portal listing all fellowship and scholarship schemes across ministries, making it easier for students to find opportunities.
In short, Senator Sitharaman’s visit in Kohima spotlighted youth empowerment, AI and tech skills, women’s financial inclusion, and connectivity upgrades—key themes for India’s growth leading up to 2047.
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