Digital India at 10: A boon for Nagaland artisans, entrepreneurs

KOHIMA — As India marks ten years of the Digital India initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent address highlighted the programme’s transformative impact across the country, specifically mentioning bamboo artisans from Nagaland who are now able to sell their products directly to customers nationwide without middlemen or digital monopolies.

The Prime Minister credited platforms like the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for unlocking new opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small entrepreneurs. From Banarasi weavers to bamboo artisans in Nagaland, sellers are now reaching customers nationwide, without middlemen or digital monopolies, he stated, noting that ONDC recently surpassed 200 million transactions, with the last 100 million occurring in just six months.

He also referenced the growth of Government e-Marketplace (GeM), which recorded over INR 1 lakh crore gross merchandise value (GMV) in just 50 days.

According to Modi, the platform now has 22 lakh sellers, including more than 1.8 lakh women-led MSMEs, who together have fulfilled orders worth INR 46,000 crore.

From Nagaland, entrepreneurs have also shared how digital infrastructure and national e-commerce platforms have enabled them to scale their businesses far beyond regional borders.

Temsusenla Kichu, proprietor of Fusion Store in Dimapur, said that better internet access and digital payment systems have made it easier for her to reach customers across India. “Thanks to ONDC, we could list our products online without spending a lot of money. It made it possible for sellers like us to reach a bigger market,” she said.

Recalling her journey, Kichu said the business began a decade ago with a few handmade products and a desire to share something meaningful from Nagaland.

“Today, we are proudly selling across India, with loyal customers who come back because they truly believe in what we offer,” she shared.

Along the way, she said, she learned how to build a business from the ground up, managing a team, handling marketing, improving the product line, and — most importantly — earning customers’ trust. “It’s been tough, but incredibly fulfilling. We feel proud to see how far we have come and to carry the ‘Made in Nagaland’ name every step of the way.”

Also read: 5 Guinness World Records That Put Nagaland on the Map

She also spoke about the experience gained through participation in trade fairs and expos outside Nagaland, which allowed her to interact with other entrepreneurs and understand broader consumer trends.

Aku Zeliang, founder of Urra Designs and Objects, also reflected on how digitalisation has helped them sell their products nationally as well as internationally. He said the Northeast region is “teeming with opportunities” and that the region has a rich deposit of history, craft, and culture, all of which have now been brought before global audiences with the help of digital tools.

“In the age of digitalisation, it has put us on the map globally,” Zeliang remarked, adding that Indian crafts and culture are now part of the country’s soft power projection.

“With India on the move, digitalisation has helped us export our soft power in the form of crafts and culture,” he added.

Also read: Urra Designs brings traditional Naga aesthetics to global stage