Union Minister for Communication and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, highlighted the Northeast as India’s gateway to the Global South during the NEtym 2026 festival at Hindu College, University of Delhi. He praised the region’s cultural richness and described it as a strategic bridge for economic and cultural connections. Scindia emphasized the Northeast’s potential in linking India, Southeast Asia, and the global landscape.
Scindia commended the region’s high literacy rates of around 93% and stressed the importance of youth in propelling growth across various sectors. He shared his personal experiences visiting all eight Northeastern states and celebrated the region’s deep-rooted artistic traditions. The Minister also honored cultural icons like Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg.
Discussing government initiatives, Scindia outlined programs aimed at empowering youth and expanding opportunities in the region. He mentioned initiatives like the ‘Northeast SPARKS’ program, in collaboration with ISRO, which exposes 800 students annually to space science and advanced technologies. Additionally, he introduced the Ashtalakshmi Darshan program, facilitating cultural exchanges among students from the Northeast and other parts of India.
The Advancing NER portal, set to launch in April 2026, will offer job opportunities, career pathways, entrance exam details, and access to educational courses and institutions. Scindia highlighted the shift in development focus in the Northeast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasizing access, inclusion, and opportunity. He urged the youth to actively participate in shaping the region’s future and emphasized the Northeast’s contribution to a developed India.
