Guwahati, Dec 5: Union Minister of Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Thursday blended cultural immersion with a major development announcement during his visit to Nagaland, participating in the traditional Naga stone-pulling ceremony at Tuophema Village as part of the Hornbill Festival and unveiling projects worth over ₹645 crore for the state.
Dressed in traditional Angami attire, Scindia took part in the centuries-old stone-pulling ritual—an act symbolising unity, collective strength and social cohesion among the Angami Naga community.
“This tradition is not merely a display of physical strength but a living reminder of how heritage binds communities together,” he said. “Standing here among the people of Tuophema, I felt the deep wisdom of a society that safeguards its roots while embracing progress.”
Reflecting on the experience, he added that among the many lessons one learns from Nagaland, the most enduring is its people’s ability to celebrate life with “grace, joy and unity rooted in rich traditions.” He described the ceremony as “a truly grounding experience, where the village breathed as one and their Angami heritage rose as a living force.”
“As hundreds pulled the monolith, Tuophema seemed to move with one resolve and one heartbeat,” Scindia said.
₹202-Crore Projects Inaugurated
Following the ceremony, the Minister inaugurated five completed projects worth over ₹202 crore, covering power infrastructure, education, road connectivity and digital access:
132 kV Sub-Station Upgrade, Nagarjan, Dimapur – ₹24.46 Cr
Teachers Training & Exam Centre with Residential Facilities – ₹20 Cr
ICT Infrastructure in 190 Schools – ₹18.95 Cr
Chendang Saddle–Kohima Road (Phase II, 12.57 km) – ₹45.59 Cr
AT Road Upgrade, Tssurang to Impur (26.335 km; 3 bridges) – ₹93.98 Cr
Foundation Stones Laid for ₹443-Crore New Projects
Scindia also laid the foundation stones for ten new initiatives worth around ₹443 crore, spanning healthcare, sports, innovation, energy and major road development:
Multispeciality Hospital, Chümoukedima (PM-DevINE) – ₹58.7 Cr
50-Bed Hospital, Peren HQ (PM-DevINE) – ₹44.6 Cr
Kohima Sports Centre, IG Stadium (PM-DevINE) – ₹72.6 Cr
Nagaland Innovation Hub – ₹19.6 Cr
11.5 MW Dzuza Small Hydro – ₹22.8 Cr
New DLC Complex, Peren Township – ₹21.9 Cr
Old Peren–Chalkot Road (16.50 km) – ₹46.3 Cr
Phomching–Longding Road (20.9 km) – ₹58 Cr
Thizama–Chiethu Airport Road (18.24 km) – ₹42.6 Cr
Khonomo–NH-29 Road via Dzudza River (9.15 km) – ₹26.5 Cr
Emloi–Ghukey Junction Road (13.70 km) – ₹29.8 Cr
Push for Connectivity and Youth-Centric Growth
Scindia said the investments reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy, which has significantly accelerated infrastructure expansion across the Northeast. The focus, he noted, is on strengthening key road corridors, improving airport-linked connectivity, expanding healthcare access and promoting innovation-driven opportunities for the youth.
He emphasised that Nagaland’s young and aspirational population has the potential to play a defining role in India’s growth story. He added that several more projects are in the pipeline and will be advanced in close coordination with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
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