Kohima: Governor Nand Kishore Yadav met with Chief Minister's Fellowship Programme Nagaland (CMFPN) participants on Monday at Lok Bhavan. He told the young professionals to look past the annual Hornbill Festival. The state needs sustainable tourism year-round. Officials from the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) manage this program. Fellows work in departments to write policy briefs and research papers.
Agriculture holds massive promise for the state. Yadav pointed to organic farming, coffee, and rubber as key economic drivers. One fellow noted that grassroots farmers need practical innovation. The group also discussed using Intellectual Property Rights to shield local goods and traditional knowledge. The Governor demands transparency and speed in all official work.
Healthcare remains a priority. Central funds flow into the state, but services must actually hit rural areas. Strengthening Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres is the goal. Yadav wants fellows to adapt successful models from other states to fit Nagaland. He offered a clear directive for their work. "Your direction should be right. Do not merely imitate others. Think deeply, acquire practical knowledge and continuously explore opportunities to learn more," Yadav said.
Achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Nagaland requires collective effort. IDAN Under Secretary Changsang Soted led the delegation during this briefing.
Updated at 8th September 2026 at 2:15pm
The Governor specifically linked the fellows' work to the state's long-term vision of Viksit Nagaland 2047. He argued that hit-or-miss tactics won't work, demanding that the cohort focus on evidence-based policymaking to modernize how the government operates.
Yadav also issued a blunt warning on administrative conduct. He told the group that effective governance hinges on advance planning, dedication, and the ability to get files moving without delay. He encouraged the team to stop looking for shortcuts and instead build a foundation of high-quality, data-driven research to solve the state's lingering problems.
Updated at 8th September 2026 at 10:07pm
Yadav widened his tourism strategy on September 8 during a visit to the State Institute of Hotel Management in Dimapur. He argued that mountains and festivals mean nothing if the service is poor. He told students that tourism success depends on how visitors get treated, from the cleanliness of their stay to the warmth of the staff. He pushed for professional hospitality training to improve these touchpoints.
The Governor urged students to stop chasing government jobs and start thinking like entrepreneurs. He noted that roles in airlines, event management, and local homestays offer real career paths. He also highlighted how digital tools, including AI and online booking systems, are changing the industry. He warned that workers must adapt to these tech shifts to keep the state competitive.
Yadav revealed that his office sponsors six students at the institute. He told them that this backing is not a handout but a debt they owe to the state. He expects these trainees to pay it forward by becoming skilled pros who act as ambassadors for the local culture.
Updated at 9th September 2026 at 9:47am
During his Dimapur visit, the Governor touted the blend of local ingredients, handicrafts, and traditions as the secret sauce for creating unique visitor experiences. He urged the State Institute of Hotel Management to tighten ties with the industry through stronger internships and professional certifications.
SIHM CEO Ashok Sethi provided a look at the institute’s history, noting it rose from an abandoned COVID-19 facility in early 2023. The school now runs the Hunar Se Rojgar Tak program, which has put over 85 percent of its 526 underprivileged graduates into jobs. Enrollment has surged from 31 students in its first year to 160 this term, with local staff making up 70 percent of the team and Naga women accounting for nearly a third of the student body.
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