Abhishek Mishra, the Additional Director and Officer-in-charge of the STPI-Kohima center, has expressed optimism about Nagaland’s potential to become a hub for Information Technology (IT) entrepreneurship in the Northeast region of India. In an interview with ANI, Mishra emphasized the English-friendly environment of Nagaland, which he believes makes it conducive for the IT industry, particularly for back-office operations of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) firms.
Mishra commended the concerted efforts of various organizations such as STPI, NIELIT, Startup Nagaland, and other departments over the past eight months, noting their dedication to fostering IT development in the state. He praised the active participation of startups and the enthusiasm for IT and product development among students, citing it as a significant factor in Nagaland’s potential rise in IT entrepreneurship.
However, Mishra also acknowledged the challenges facing IT entrepreneurship in Nagaland. He highlighted the lack of a strong educational base in IT, attributing it to the limited number of engineering colleges in the state.
Mishra stressed the importance of nurturing a talented workforce to compete globally, indicating that the current shortage of skilled professionals poses a barrier to Nagaland’s IT industry aspirations.
Moreover, Mishra pointed out infrastructure limitations, citing the lack of railway connectivity in certain districts like Wokha as an obstacle to the state’s overall development. Despite these challenges, Mishra remained hopeful about Nagaland’s prospects in the IT sector, expressing confidence that with concerted efforts and strategic investments in education and infrastructure, Nagaland could emerge as a leader in IT entrepreneurship in the Northeast region.