MAY 23: Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Shekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, described Northeast India as not just a geographical region but a vital digital and strategic frontier for the country. Speaking at the “Rising North East Investors Summit 2025” in New Delhi, he highlighted the region’s transformation from isolated periphery to a dynamic innovation hub, calling it a place “where policy meets possibility, nature meets networks, and heritage meets hyper-connectivity.”
The Minister addressed a special session titled “IT for Ashtalakshmi – Beyond the Bits and Bytes, into AI and 5G,” which saw participation from key dignitaries including Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and the Chief Secretary of Manipur.
Dr. Chandra Shekhar attributed the Northeast’s transformation to the Union Government’s Act East Policy and a decade of focused efforts since 2014. He praised the role of DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in accelerating progress, describing the region as central to India’s aspirations in the digital age.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, the Minister noted that over ₹1.5 lakh crore has been invested in digital and physical infrastructure, including ₹50,000 crore under BharatNet and the Digital North East Vision. As a result, more than 90% of the region now has 4G connectivity, and 80% of rural homes are connected via fiber optics.
Dr. Chandra Shekhar emphasized that the true strength of the Northeast lies in its digitally skilled youth. Institutions like IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar are nurturing talent, while startups like AgSpert are using AI and drone technologies to address agricultural challenges. Government initiatives such as Digital India, Startup India, and the National AI Strategy have created fertile ground for innovation.
He cited examples of impactful AI and 5G applications in the region: a telemedicine network in Arunachal Pradesh, real-time multilingual translation through the BHASHINI initiative in Tripura, immersive tourism experiences using AR, and AI tools preserving indigenous languages and promoting traditional crafts globally.
Positioning the Northeast as a natural gateway to ASEAN’s $5 trillion digital economy, Dr. Chandra Shekhar stressed the region’s international connectivity, renewable energy potential, and readiness for green data centers. He concluded by calling on industry and academia to “come, collaborate, and co-create” in the Rising Northeast, where bold vision and inclusive development are setting new benchmarks for India’s future.