Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio urges corporates to invest in Nagaland’s people, potential and development priorities
NEW DELHI (India CSR): Nagaland Connect 2026, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) conclave organised by the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), secured CSR commitments worth more than Rs 30 crore for development initiatives in the State, media reports said.
A total of 15 Letters of Interest and partnership commitments were formally handed over to IDAN in the presence of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton, ministers, advisors and senior officials.
Addressing the conclave, Chief Minister Rio urged India’s corporate sector to view Nagaland as “a destination for opportunity” rather than merely a destination for assistance. He said CSR should be seen as an instrument of equity and inclusive growth, not only as a compliance obligation.
“Nagaland today is not merely a destination for assistance, it is a destination for opportunity,” Rio said. He highlighted the State’s young population, its strategic position under India’s Act East Policy and initiatives such as Nagaki Incubation City as signs of Nagaland’s growth potential.
The Chief Minister identified education, livelihoods, healthcare, sports, environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment and youth development as key priority areas for CSR partnerships. He said IDAN would function as a single-window platform to facilitate, support and monitor CSR collaborations.
Abu Metha, Chairman of IDAN and Advisor to the Chief Minister, said Nagaland has contributed meaningfully to India’s nation-building journey despite several challenges. He called upon corporates to focus CSR investments in frontier regions where development gaps remain significant.
The conclave, themed “Forging Partnerships, Creating Impact,” was held at Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. It brought together more than 40 companies and focused on structured partnerships in health, education, livelihoods, rural development, sports, climate resilience, gender equality, inclusion and digital access.
The event concluded with remarks by Vineet Kumar, IAS, Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland.
