Mizoram Governor Emphasizes In-depth Studies for Rural Development

Mizoram Governor, General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), highlighted the importance of thorough and evidence-based research to comprehend the challenges faced by rural communities and create more effective development strategies. He engaged in a dialogue with 32 students, including 11 from IIT Madras and 21 from NIT Mizoram, who are part of the New India Mission internship program. The interaction took place at Durbar Hall, Lok Bhavan, where the Governor discussed the students’ projects and experiences. General Singh (Retd) praised the New India Mission Internship Programme for leveraging the innovative ideas and skills of engineering students to tackle rural issues nationwide. He commended the collaboration between IIT Madras and NIT Mizoram in studying and addressing rural problems in Mizoram. Encouraging the students to grasp the program’s goals and contribute their best efforts, the Governor acknowledged the potential of young minds in generating impactful ideas. With a focus on Mizoram’s agricultural sector, he called for concentrated efforts to enhance production, fortify supply chains, and improve processing methods. General Singh (Retd) emphasized the necessity of comprehensive studies to support rural communities and devise more efficient plans, while extending warm wishes to the students during their time in Mizoram. Sukanta Roy, Dean (Academics) at NIT Mizoram, who led the group, outlined the program’s objectives and schedule. The students shared insights and experiences from their recent visits to villages and interactions with locals, engaging in thoughtful discussions and posing pertinent questions. A total of 32 students are participating in the pilot internship program themed ‘Technology and Rural Development,’ with activities running from December 16, 2025, to January 10, 2026. The initiative involves on-site research in Mizoram villages to identify challenges in various sectors such as energy, water, health, agriculture, and sustainability, followed by the development of technical solutions through project-based work.