The Centre of Excellence Industry 4.0 – Srujan was inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on 25 April 2025 at the Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre, New Industrial Estate, District-Jail Junction (Tinali), NH-36 Road, Dimapur.
During the inaugural program, 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 reaches its full potential, it will be able to train more than 500 youth every year in new-age technologies, ranging from robotics to AI, 3D advanced simulation to automation, and smart factories.
He added that this facility is not just about new machines and software; it is about creating opportunities where challenges once existed. It is about ensuring that our youth are not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution but are able to catch up with global industrial trends.
He extended his deepest appreciation to Bharat Forge Limited, led by Babasaheb Kalyani, for their far-sighted vision and leadership in the global industry. He requested them to act as ambassadors, encouraging their industry partners and peers to discover what they have witnessed here: a land rich with talent, innovation, and untapped potential. He also reminded all stakeholders, trainees, and youth that this centre is a “playground of possibilities.” The skills they gain here will not only secure jobs but will also create them. Whether they dream of starting a tech venture, improving agricultural tools with AI, or designing solutions for their communities, this is their launchpad, he added.
He assured the Principal and staff of the Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC) that the government will extend all possible support in their efforts toward sustainable, innovative, and technological development. He also praised the Department of Industries & Commerce, under the leadership of Hekani Jakhalu, for scaling new heights and venturing into new territories. With the support of the department’s officials, he expressed confidence that they would be able to lead efforts to bring industry giants and investors to Nagaland and tap into the state’s untapped rich resources for regional development.
He stated that this project is a shining example of what can be achieved when government, industry, and academia work together. He hopes that this centre will become a living ecosystem where start-ups flourish with mentorship from industry leaders; research addresses local challenges, from sustainable farming to healthcare; and Nagaland becomes a hub for Industry 4.0 talent in Northeast India.
P Tokugha Sema, Director of Industries & Commerce and NTTC, said the Department is celebrating its evolution into a hub for cutting-edge technology with the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence Industry 4.0 – Srujan. He shared that over the past 19 years, more than 10,000 youth have been trained, with an impressive 70% placement rate, transforming lives across Nagaland and neighbouring states.
He mentioned that the Department has established pioneering facilities like the Agro-Based Rural Technology Centre, which has developed innovative solutions such as smokeless meat dryers and banana fibre extractors, supporting rural livelihoods. Additionally, the Kiphire Extension Centre is bringing technical education to remote areas of the state. NTTC has also become a hub for entrepreneurship, with an incubation centre under Start-up Nagaland and an Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) under the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, where many entrepreneurs, innovators, and youth have been trained, facilitated, and mentored across the state.
He stated that this journey—from a modest tool room to a technology hub—mirrors Nagaland’s aspirations. Today, by adding Industry 4.0 capabilities, including 3D printing, robotics, and AI, the centre is not just upgrading equipment but also future-proofing our youth for the digital industrial revolution. NTTC has already transformed lives, and with the Centre of Excellence, they are now taking a quantum leap forward, he emphasized.
The welcome and opening remarks were delivered by MLA and Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu. The inaugural programme also featured short speeches by Associate VP (IIR) & Head CSR, Dr. Leena Deshpande, and Executive Director of Bharat Forge Ltd., BP Kalyani. A presentation was given by Sunil Sitaram Chore, Chairman & Managing Director of Simu Soft Technologies, and the concluding remarks were delivered by Er Petehetuo Miasalhou, Principal of NTTC Dimapur.