Aizawl October 2026: Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon’ble Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), today interacted with students participating in the Ashtalakshmi Darshan (Phase-II) programme and students of Mizoram University at the Administrative Conference Hall, Mizoram University.
In his address, the Union Minister congratulated the university administration, faculty members, students and alumni on completing 25 years of academic excellence and institutional growth. He drew a parallel between the establishment of Mizoram University and the Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), both established in 2001 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He described the shared 25-year journey as a significant milestone, noting that Mizoram University had grown into a prominent institution with 39 departments, 10 schools of study and 39 affiliated colleges.
The Union Minister encouraged students to look beyond conventional career aspirations and consider how they could contribute to society. He observed that choosing a career should not be limited to securing employment but should also involve identifying problems and developing solutions that create meaningful value for communities and the nation.
Emphasising the transformation of the Northeast through improved connectivity, the Union Minister stated that the region was increasingly being recognised as an area of opportunity rather than a geographically remote part of the country. He highlighted the significance of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, which has connected Mizoram to the national railway network for the first time since Independence. He further highlighted the growing movement of passengers and goods through the new railway connectivity and added that such connectivity strengthens not only the transportation of goods but also the economic and cultural integration of the Northeast with the rest of India.
Highlighting the importance of developing distinctive products in each state, the Union Minister said that efforts were being made to strengthen value chains from production and processing to branding and marketing. He noted that Mizo ginger had been identified as Mizoram’s key agricultural product with the objective of expanding market access for farmers and promoting the product nationally and internationally.
The Union Minister described North East region as an emerging growth engine of the country. He stated that the eight Northeastern states collectively had significant economic potential and could play a decisive role in advancing India’s development ambitions.
He also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting Mizoram’s cultural heritage and urged students to preserve the values passed down by their ancestors and transmit them to future generations. In particular, he referred to the Mizo values of Tlawmngaihna, which embodies selflessness, courage, hospitality, service and responsibility towards the community. He said these values had significance beyond Mizoram and could serve as guiding principles for humanity.
The Minister concluded by highlighting the growing importance of the Northeast in India’s economic development and urged students to become responsible leaders, innovators and contributors to the nation’s progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
During the programme, Dr. R. Lalchhanhima, Dean of Students’ Welfare, Mizoram University, elaborated on the Ashtalakshmi Darshan (Phase-II) initiative. The Ashtalakshmi Darshan Youth Exchange Programme, organised under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, aims to foster stronger connections among the youth of India and promote mutual understanding of the country’s diverse cultures through academic sessions, cultural programmes and field visits. The programme was launched at Mizoram University on January 16, 2026.
The interaction was chaired by Dr. Grace Lalhlupuii Sailo, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Mizoram University. Prof. Dibakar Chandra Deka, Vice-Chancellor of Mizoram University, delivered the welcome address and expressed his appreciation for the valuable opportunity provided to students to interact with the Union Minister of DoNER. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. N. Albert Khizho, Registrar-in-Charge, Mizoram University.
Students from the Ashtalakshmi Darshan team from Chandigarh, the Yuva Sangam team from Goa, and students of Mizoram University participated in the programme. The Union Minister was accompanied by Shri Katikithala Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of DoNER; Shri Satinder Kumar Bhalla, Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC) and Shri Niraj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER.
