The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER) organised eight technical sessions on December 7 and 8 during the first edition of the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav by bringing together eminent panelists, who were domain experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate upon the issues pertaining to the opportunities and challenges facing the North East region.
Four technical sessions were held each day on the issues like women leadership, technology adoption, healthcare, energy, culture, arts, and sports, with a view to promote sustainable growth and development in the region.
The topic of the first technical session was about ‘Catalysing North East’s Progress for a Viksit Bharat’ during which DONER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang put forward their view points with respect to the development framework for the North East region.
The session emphasised the role of the North East region as a “Gateway to South-East Asia” and a crucial driver of India’s economic growth. The key outcomes of the session included a renewed focus on tourist infrastructure development, infrastructure expansion and a commitment to fostering sustainable growth through partnership between the Government of India and the state governments of North East states.
The topic of the second technical session was about ‘Women’s Leadership in Northeast for a Resilient and Sustainable Future’. The panel emphasised the need for comprehensive reforms to remove the systemic barriers hindering women’s empowerment. It was discussed that despite progress in this field in recent times, more efforts are needed to ensure women’s participation in leadership and decision-making. The outcome of the session was to call for immediate action to create inclusive growth by empowering women and addressing the barriers for attaining their full participation in all spheres of life.
The topic of the third technical session was about ‘Promoting Technology Adoption and Digital Transformation’. The panel explored the transformative potential of AI, IoT, and other digital tools in North East India. It highlighted challenges such as digital infrastructure deficit, digital literacy gaps, and resistance to change. The outcome of the session was to establish a roadmap for overcoming these challenges, emphasis on investing in digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and adapting technologies to regional needs to drive social and economic growth.
The topic of the fourth technical session was about ‘Strengthening Public Health Delivery in North East India’. The panel discussed the need for coordinated efforts to improve public health delivery by combining modern healthcare with traditional systems, infrastructure development, policy innovation, and community engagement. The session highlighted the need for strategic investments in healthcare, education, and technology to bridge the existing gaps and ensure sustainable health outcomes.
The topic of the fifth technical session was about ‘Diversifying the Energy Mix for Power Generation and Transmission’. The panel discussed North East India’s vast renewable energy potential in the sectors of hydropower, solar, wind, and biomass. The panel emphasised that a balanced, sustainable energy mix is necessary, alongside infrastructure and policy innovations. The panel recommended promoting decentralised energy solutions and investing in green hydrogen, energy storage, and grid modernization, positioning the region as a leader in India’s green energy revolution.
The topic of the sixth technical session was about ‘Culture and Heritage of North East India in Contemporary Times’. The panel stressed the need for a collaborative effort to preserve North East India’s cultural heritage while balancing tradition with modernity. The panel recommended the Leveraging of cultural assets for economic growth, cultural revitalisation, and global recognition was seen as vital, with strong community involvement and support from cultural institutions.
The topic of the seventh technical session was about ‘Leveraging Arts, Crafts, Music, and Festivals for Economic Growth’. The panel discussion focused on using North East India’s unique arts, crafts, music, and festivals to unlock economic opportunities and drive cultural revitalisation. The panel recommended a sustainable, inclusive path requiring involvement from both the government and local communities to support and promote regional arts and culture.
The topic of the eighth technical session was about ‘North East India’s Sports Culture and Potential as a Major Sports Hub’. The panel discussed North East India’s potential to become a sports hub, focusing on community involvement and the importance of sports infrastructure and grassroots initiatives. The key recommendations included expanding sports infrastructure, promoting women in sports, and supporting long-term athlete development. The session concluded with optimism for Northeast India’s future as a sports powerhouse.
The technical sessions held during the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav provided valuable insights into the potential of North East India across various sectors. The recommendations of the panel were primarily to augment investment in infrastructure, technology, healthcare and sports sectors to foster inclusive growth.
