Nagaland marks National Science Day with first Science and Technology Awards under Nagaland Science Mission.
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KOHIMA — Nagaland celebrated National Science Day at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, on Saturday, recognising individuals for their contribution in the field of science and technology.
Organised by the Department of Science and Technology, the awards conferred was the first ever Science and Technology Awards ceremony under Nagaland Science Mission.
Themed ‘Women in science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat,’ eight individuals, including four each female and male, were conferred the award in various categories on the occasion.
Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland, I Himato Zhimomi, in his keynote address, emphasised the importance of science in today’s world and said that science has to be the fundamental basis of Naga society.
Towards this, he urged parents to ensure that their children take up science subjects and encouraged them to direct their energy towards the science stream.
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He stated that in Nagaland, there are 70,000 unemployed youths, with hundreds of graduates every year. The statistics further showed that 90% of the unemployed youths in the state are arts students.
While the arts stream is good, he said science graduates are required for Nagaland’s foundation, be it engineers, doctors, technicians, etc.
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“I can guarantee you that every single person who graduates from a science field will never be unemployed in the decades to come,” he claimed.
“For your base, for your mode of production, I can give you in writing, if you, young children get through the science stream, you will never be unemployed. Whereas, I don't want to disparage against arts students because I too am an arts student but, if you go for arts, yes, I'm not saying that you'll be unemployed.
But it's just 1% of you might make it in some competitive exams or the other whereas, the 99% of the arts students are going to have a lifestyle which is below that of a plumber or an electrician, somebody who is even uneducated, just class 10 pass.”
He stated that universities in the state are “flooded” with arts students and questioned the direction of the future. He then said, “We're headed towards unemployment, a disaster, unusable, unemployable, unskillable” and insisted that complete change of direction is what the state requires.
He added that the awards were instituted to ensure that the state will not lag behind anybody and that it would put its best foot forward to make sure those who work here and are sent out for employment will be scientifically and technologically capable.
The ‘Girl child award 2025’ was awarded to student Sashimongla I Longkumer, receiving a total of INR 40,000 and a citation.
The ‘Award for young scientist, 2025’ was presented to Dr. Imlisongla Aier, scientist, IIT Delhi, receiving INR 1 lakh and a citation.
Four individuals were awarded INR 5 lakh each along with a citation under the category of ‘Awards of Research Grant for Indigenous Nagas of Nagaland, 2025’.
The awardees are Dr. Visesato Mor, Assistant Professor, NIST; Dr. Samadangla Ao, Associate Professor, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma; Dr. Limamanen Phom, Assistant Professor, Sao Chang College; and Thsope Medo, Principal Project Associate, NASTEC.
The ‘Awards for outstanding achievement in Science and Technology, 2025’ were presented to Dr. Sapu Changkija, retired professor, and Dr. Vinotsole Khamo, Professor and head of Health Research, Nagaland Institute of Sciences and Technology, Kohima. They each received INR 1 lakh and a citation.
Other highlights included exhibitions of local innovations, address by Zeneikhonuo Vimero, Joint Secretary and Ex-officio Director of Science and Technology, and presentation of science drama PM Shri Government high school, Thahekhu.