Guwahati, May 24: Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, said Northeast is not waiting for change—it is architecting it, and it is time the rest of India—and the world—invests in that spirit.

Speaking at a session titled “Education to Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Northeast’s Brightest Potential”, at Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 in New Delhi Chaudhary said the Northeast is no longer on the periphery of India—it is the new epicentre of India’s development journey.

“The Northeast is not just a region; it’s a vibrant force reshaping India’s future. From Mizoram achieving 100% literacy rates to the entrepreneurial spirit of its youth, the region exemplifies resilience and community strength. As the region celebrates this transformation, it must nurture The Northeast must now nurture risk-taking, skill development, and ecosystem support to unlock its potential, he said.

Mentioning the ‘Skilling for AI Readiness’ (SOAR) programme, which the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is currently developing in collaboration with Ministry of Education and NCVET, he added, “The future lies in AI, and India must lead by building indigenous models and preparing our youth for an AI-driven world. Through Skilling for AI Readiness, we plan to equip students with tools to innovate ethically using AI. The collective spirit of the Northeast, paired with national support, is a beacon of progress. We must harness this energy, break old mindsets, and build a future where every young mind from Arunachal to Assam shapes India’s global narrative,” he added.

Chaudhary also drew examples from real lives to showcase the potential of the region. One such example was of Bhabhendra Mohan Borgohain from Assam, who formed a Farmer Producer Company with 500 tea growers and has established a state-of-the-art common facility centre with the capacity to process 1 lakh kg of organic and speciality teas annually.

“Another beneficiary, Merina Lahiri, has woven her dreams with threads of skill and purpose. She now leads a team of 300 women farmers and 15 artisans, producing Eri Silk products, which are rooted in tradition, which is a sustainable practice. Her FPO is now recognised by the Government of India program. These are all success stories that are signals of a larger flux of green roots emerging in the economy of India.” Shri Chaudhary said.

He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to enabling structural reforms, building world-class institutions, and accelerating investments in the youth of the Northeast. “Let us move from pilots to platforms, from isolated successes to systemic transformation. The Ashta Lakshmi of the Northeast are not just cultural icons—they are growth engines. Let us rise with them.”

On the sidelines of the summit, a dedicated Udyamita se Atmanirbhar Pavilion set up by MSDE, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of the Northeast, featuring eight dynamic entrepreneurs trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE). Representing diverse sectors—from agro-processing to eco-tourism—they embodied the transformative impact of Skill India initiatives in the region. Their stories of grit and growth served as powerful reminders that with the right training and ecosystem, local talent can scale national ambitions.

The efforts of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the Northeastern region have empowered more than 49,000 youth with apprenticeship opportunities and entrepreneurship support to more than 3 lakhs through EAP and EDP programmes, since 2015. And women participation in entrepreneurship programmes is more than 75%.

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