MAY 24: The Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 marked a defining moment in India’s development narrative, with Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary declaring, “The Northeast is no longer on the periphery of India—it is the new epicentre of India’s development journey.” Serving as the largest cross-sector investment dialogue ever held in the region, the summit convened global investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to explore the region’s immense potential.
In his keynote session titled “Education to Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Northeast’s Brightest Potential,” Shri Chaudhary outlined a bold vision for transformation through inclusive growth and skill empowerment. Highlighting Mizoram’s 100% literacy achievement and the entrepreneurial vibrancy of the youth, he stressed the importance of nurturing risk-taking and building strong support systems.
The Minister spotlighted the upcoming ‘Skilling for AI Readiness’ (SOAR) initiative, jointly developed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Education, and NCVET. Aimed at preparing students for an AI-driven future, the programme will promote ethical innovation and equip the youth with advanced digital tools. “India must lead in building indigenous AI models, and the Northeast’s collective spirit is key to this ambition,” he said.
Real-life success stories added depth to the Minister’s address. He cited Shri Bhabhendra Mohan Borgohain from Assam, who formed a Farmer Producer Company uniting 500 tea growers and established a cutting-edge facility processing 1 lakh kg of organic tea annually. Another example was Ms. Merina Lahiri, who leads 300 women farmers and 15 artisans in producing sustainable Eri silk products through a recognized FPO, showcasing the region’s growing grassroots innovation.
A dedicated “Udyamita se Atmanirbhar” Pavilion, set up by the MSDE, featured eight entrepreneurs trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), representing sectors from agro-processing to eco-tourism. Their success reflects the transformative reach of the Skill India programme. Since 2015, the Ministry has supported over 3 lakh aspiring entrepreneurs and facilitated apprenticeship opportunities for more than 49,000 youth in the region, with over 75% participation from women.
Summing up, Shri Chaudhary emphasized moving “from pilots to platforms” and leveraging the region’s cultural richness as engines of economic progress. The summit sent a strong signal that the Northeast is not merely participating in India’s growth—it is driving it.