Centre of Excellence Industry 4.0 - Srujan was inaugurated by Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio on 25th April, 2025 at Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre, New Industrial Estate, District-Jail Junction (Tinali), NH-36 Road, Dimapur.
At the inaugural programme, Rio stated that this centre is not just a building or a laboratory; it is a testament to Nagaland's resolve to embrace the future with confidence, innovation, and skill. He pointed out that once the centre starts functioning in its full potential, it shall be able to train more than 500 youth every year in new age technology, from robotics to AI, from 3d advanced simulation to automation and smart factories. He added that this facility is not just about new machines and software, but it is about creating opportunities where there were challenges. It is about ensuring that our youth are not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but catch up with the rest of the industrial trends.
He extended his deepest appreciation to Bharat Forge Limited, led by Babasaheb Kalyani, for his far-sighted vision and the role in global leadership. He requested them to be the ambassadors to encourage their industry partners and peers to discover what they have seen here: a land ripe with talent, innovation, and untapped potential. He also reminded all the stakeholders, trainees and the youth that this centre is a playground of possibilities. The skills they gain here will not just secure jobs, they will create them. Whether they dream of starting a tech venture, improving agricultural tools with AI, or designing solutions for our communities, this is their launchpad, he added.
He assured the Principal & staff of Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC) that the government will extend all possible support in their endeavours toward the realisation of sustainable, innovative and technological development. Also, appreciated the Department of Industries & Commerce under the leadership of Hekani Jakhalu, in scaling new heights and treading new territories. With the able support of the officials of the Department, he is positive that the Department will be able to take the lead and bring industry giants and investors, and tap the untapped rich resources for the development of our state as well as the region.
In conclusion, he said that this project is a shining example of what we can achieve when government, industry, and academia work together. He hopes that this centre will be a living ecosystem where start-ups flourish with mentorship from industry leaders; research solves local challenges, from sustainable farming to healthcare; Nagaland becomes a hub for Industry 4.0 talent in the Northeast.
Director of Industries & Commerce & NTTC, P. Tokugha Sema, stated that the Department celebrates its evolution into a hub of cutting-edge technology with the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence Industry 4.0- Srujan. He informed that over the past 19 years, over 10,000 youth have been trained with a remarkable 70% placement record, transforming lives across Nagaland and neighbouring states.\
He mentioned that the Department has established first-of-its-kind facilities like the Agro-Based Rural Technology Centre, developing innovative solutions like smokeless meat dryers and banana fibre extractors that support rural livelihoods while also expanding their footprint with the Kiphire Extension Centre, taking technical education to remote areas of our state. NTTC has become a hub for entrepreneurship, with an incubation centre under Start-up Nagaland and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) under Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, where they have trained, facilitated and mentored various numbers of entrepreneurs, innovators and youths all over the State.
He stated that this journey from a modest tool room to a technology hub mirrors Nagaland's aspirations. Today, adding Industry 4.0 capabilities - with 3d printing, robotics, and AI - it is not just upgrading equipment, but future-proofing our youth for the digital industrial revolution. NTTC has already transformed lives. Now, with this Centre of Excellence, we take a quantum leap forward, he emphasised.
Welcome & opening remarks were given by MLA & Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu. The inaugural programme included short speeches by Associate VP (IIR) & Head CSR, Dr. Leena Deshpande, and Executive Director, Bharat Forge Ltd., B. P Kalyani. Presentation was given by Chairman & Managing Director, Simu Soft Technologies, Sunil Sitaram Chore and concluding remarks by Principal, NTTC, Dimapur, Er. Petehetuo Miasalhou.
(Tovikali, IA, Chumoukedima)
