The Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) organised a programme at the Integrated Business Hub & Innovation Centre (IBH & IC), Forest Colony, Dimapur, on October 9, marking the flagging off of four Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances supported by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and the virtual inauguration and handover of an Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Processing Unit at Thanamir village in Pungro, Kiphire district.

The initiatives aim to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery, promote agricultural value addition and create sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for communities in remote areas of the State.

Addressing the programme, Governor of Nagaland, Nand Kishore Yadav, congratulated IDAN, IOCL, the concerned departments and all stakeholders involved, stating that both initiatives shared the common objective of improving the quality of life and promoting inclusive development in Nagaland. The Governor said the ambulances would strengthen access to emergency healthcare, while the processing unit would create opportunities for entrepreneurship, value addition and livelihood generation.

Appreciating IOCL's support towards emergency healthcare, he observed that Nagaland's mountainous terrain, dispersed settlements and long distances between villages and healthcare institutions often posed challenges in accessing timely medical care, particularly during emergencies. He said properly equipped BLS ambulances would strengthen emergency response and facilitate the safe and timely transportation of patients from remote areas and peripheral health facilities to higher medical centres.

Emphasising the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Governor expressed hope that the initiative would encourage other public and private sector organisations to complement government efforts through interventions that generate measurable social impact. He stressed that geographical challenges and distance should not become permanent barriers to development and that essential services must reach remote communities.

Turning to the ACV Processing Unit at Thanamir, the Governor said Nagaland possessed considerable agricultural and horticultural potential, but greater economic value could be generated by moving beyond the sale of raw produce through processing, packaging, branding and market development.

Describing the facility as an example of locally rooted and market-oriented development, he said farmers should have opportunities to participate in the wider value chain and benefit not only from the sale of fresh apples but also from the processing and marketing of products derived from them.

He underscored the need for a comprehensive ecosystem comprising storage facilities, processing infrastructure, quality standards, packaging, branding, logistics, finance and reliable market access to enable farmers to realise the full economic potential of their produce.

The Governor further observed that the two initiatives complemented each other by addressing fundamental aspects of human and economic development. While the ambulances would help protect and preserve lives, the processing unit would create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.

He called for sustained partnerships among government departments, public sector organisations, private companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, communities and civil society to ensure that development reached every part of the State. He also stressed the need to strengthen healthcare, improve opportunities for farmers, empower youth through skills and enterprise, expand women's participation in economic activities and connect local products with markets within Nagaland, across the country and internationally.

Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, in his address, called for greater collaboration among the government, corporate institutions and local communities to promote inclusive economic growth and ensure that development initiatives reached the grassroots.

Metha stated that IOCL had invested more than Rs. 3.5 crore in CSR activities in Nagaland over the past few years and was exploring further initiatives through gap analysis to identify areas where corporate support could make a meaningful difference. He also appreciated the company's investment of over Rs. 300 Crore in upgrading its facilities in the State.

Referring to the ACV Processing Unit at Thanamir, Metha described the initiative as a small but significant step towards addressing the economic challenges faced by farmers in remote areas. He noted that Thanamir, located close to the India-Myanmar border, continued to face geographical challenges and limited market access, affecting local economic activities.

He said the processing plant demonstrated the importance of extending development opportunities to remote communities and strengthening the economic prospects of local farmers.

Highlighting Dimapur's strategic importance as a growing economic and transportation hub, Metha said the district, along with adjoining areas of Chümoukedima and Niuland, had considerable potential due to its connectivity, human resources, young population and emerging opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship.

He called upon local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to work collectively, stressing that government initiatives alone would not be sufficient without active public participation and cooperation. He also urged the people of Nagaland to strive for competitiveness at the national and international levels, stating that stronger local enterprises and economic success would contribute to nation-building and India's overall progress.

In his welcome address, Additional Secretary, IDAN, Vineet Kumar, IAS, informed that IOCL had extended financial assistance of Rs. 58.08 lakh for the procurement of four BLS ambulances in Nagaland. He further stated that the ACV Processing Unit at Thanamir village in Pungro, Kiphire district, had been established under the Chief Minister's Innovative Programme with a sanctioned amount of Rs. 50 lakh.

Kumar described the ambulances as an important step towards strengthening the last-mile healthcare delivery system, highlighting the role of partnerships between the government and responsible institutions such as IOCL in complementing public service delivery and addressing infrastructure gaps.

On the processing unit, he said the facility was expected to create opportunities for value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, encourage local enterprise development and improve economic returns from agricultural produce. He noted that such facilities were intended to support an integrated system encompassing agricultural production, storage, processing and value addition.

Emphasising the importance of effective implementation, Kumar stated that the success of public investment should be measured by its tangible benefits to citizens and not merely by the sanctioning, establishment or inauguration of projects. He urged the concerned departments, implementing agencies and local stakeholders to ensure that the facilities remained functional, were properly maintained and were utilised effectively to achieve their intended objectives.

A major highlight of the programme was the ceremonial handover of the ACV Processing Unit at Thanamir and four BLS ambulances, which were flagged off by Governor Yadav. The ambulances were allocated to Dhansiripar Community Health Centre (CHC), Medziphema CHC, Niuland CHC and Chumoukedima Primary Health Centre (PHC).

The programme also featured a video presentation highlighting IOCL's CSR projects for 2026, followed by the ceremonial asset handover by IOCL and a video presentation on the ACV Processing Unit at Thanamir, culminating in its virtual inauguration. Allotted rooms at the IBH & IC were also ceremonially handed over.

The initiatives underscore the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting agricultural value addition and expanding sustainable economic opportunities across Nagaland.

(Tovikali, IA, Dimapur)