Arunachal pradesh 29 March -India’s northeastern region is set to be the country’s economic powerhouse, Union Minister of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, asserted. In his strong words, Scindia asserted that the region, hitherto famous for its picturesque landscape and cultural diversity, is now at the cutting edge of India’s technological and economic reach.
Addressing the annual session of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) on Friday, the minister spoke about the remarkable advances in the development of the region, especially with regard to connectivity, digital infrastructure, and empowerment of women using technology. The minister’s statements are in keeping with the vision of the government to make the Northeast a destination for economic activity, with increased emphasis on digital technologies that are improving business prospects and connectivity throughout the region.
Historically, the northeastern states of India have been seen as distant and somewhat isolated, both geographically and economically. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the region has seen major infrastructural improvements, Scindia noted. These include enhanced air, road, rail, and waterway connectivity, making the northeastern states more accessible and integrated with the rest of the country.
“Today, the Northeast boasts 17 airports and remains in the process of witnessing rapid growth in air, road, and railway connectivity,” Scindia stated. The growth is not only increasing regional mobility but is also set to draw domestic and international investments to support the entire region’s economy.
The minister underscored that the government’s push for better connectivity was not just in transportation but also in the digital sphere. The northeastern states, he explained, are not only embracing new digital technologies; they are setting the pace for the adoption and growth of digital infrastructure. This is a landmark change, putting the Northeast at the forefront of India’s tech-enabled economic transformation.
Among the top priority areas of the government has been digital connectivity. Scindia emphasized that major advancement has been achieved under the Bharat Net initiative, targeting each village across the nation to be connected with high-speed internet. In August or September this year, all the villages in the Northeast will be digitally connected with 4G and 5G services being made available through the growth of broadband infrastructure.
As of now, 15,000 towers have been installed, and the rest are supposed to be completed by the end of the year,” explained the minister. “To that point, some $16 billion has been spent on putting in place a broadband digital highway, such as installing 27,000 cell towers throughout the country.”.
This growth will not only help the larger cities but will also see even the farthest-flung villages across the region having access to the newest digital offerings, drawing them into the ambit of the fast-expanding digital economy.
The drive for digital connectivity has been particularly useful to women from the Northeast region. Scindia remarked that women in the region have been eager to adopt digital tools as a way of improving their businesses and their livelihoods. With high-speed internet, women entrepreneurs can now access wider markets, sell their produce around the world, and even engage in international trade.
One of the most striking examples of this empowerment is the adoption of the North East Region Agri Commodity E-Connect (NERACE) platform, introduced by the government to link farmers with buyers and boost agricultural connectivity within the region. Women entrepreneurs, especially, have been swift in embracing this technology, using the platform to sell farm produce such as kiwis and other regional specialties to overseas markets.
“They are using NERACE to reach out to farmers and buyers all over the globe. It’s not merely about selling goods; it’s about empowering women with the means to expand their business horizon and their earning potential,” Scindia added. The program is an extension of a broader strategy of using technology to drive inclusive growth, especially in rural India where women’s economic participation and empowerment have historically been restricted.
The minister also recognized the specific strengths of all eight Northeastern states and admitted that each state has some particular resources, opportunities, and possibilities to offer. Be it in agriculture, handlooms, tourism, or technology, Scindia emphasized that there is enormous potential untapped here, which could really add significantly to India’s economic growth overall.
He characterized the Northeast as a part of “irreplaceable heritage” of India’s progress and development, and the upswing in infrastructure creation, particularly the development of connectivity in digital format, would help drive economic expansion in the region. Government thrust to augment means of communication and transportation has helped increase connectivity among regions besides mobilizing necessary investment to stimulate the process of diversification in economies and provide employments.
The government’s continued focus on the Northeast is evident, and with programs such as the BharatNet initiative and the NERACE platform, the region is already well on its way to becoming a major contributor to India’s economic transformation. With the growth of the region’s digital infrastructure, new opportunities for education, healthcare, e-commerce, and agriculture will be created, leading to a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
Scindia’s observations highlight the strategic significance of the Northeast in the larger scheme of India’s economic aspirations. Backed by the government and through the active support of local populations, especially women, the Northeast has the potential to become a significant contributor to India’s growth narrative in the future years.
The Northeast’s transition from a comparatively backward region to a technological and economic giant is a testament to the revolutionary power of infrastructure building, internet connectivity, and empowerment of women. With continued growth, the region will play an ever-more pivotal role in determining India’s future as a world economic leader.
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