Nagaland signs MoU with Toyota Kirloskar to boost health and education sectors

CM launches two PM Vishwakarma documents to strengthen the state’s artisanal economy

DIMAPUR — The government of Nagaland on Tuesday witnessed the ceremonial exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) and the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), signalling a new partnership aimed at improving health and education infrastructure in the state.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said healthcare and education remained priority sectors for the state, particularly in rural areas where infrastructural gaps and skill requirements continue to pose challenges. He said the partnership with Toyota Kirloskar would provide meaningful support towards long-term improvement.

Rio, who recently visited Toyota’s manufacturing facility and its educational institution, said the experiential learning model adopted by the company demonstrated how high-quality education can prepare children for the future. He added that Toyota’s work with underprivileged communities reaffirmed the value of such collaborations.

Under the MoU, health interventions will include upgrading essential facilities and expanding access to services across rural and urban areas. The education component will focus on improving infrastructure, introducing digital-learning tools, and enhancing skill development among students.

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The chief minister assured full government support for transparent and timely implementation of the initiatives. The state government expressed appreciation to Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. for its commitment to social impact and said it was confident that the partnership would bring lasting benefits to the people.

Representing Toyota Kirloskar, Sudeep Dalvi said the company’s approach to social interventions was rooted in its philosophy of “Child to Community Development”. Strengthening healthcare and education, he said, was central to building resilient communities.

Abu Metha, Chairman of IDAN, said the Hornbill Festival had evolved beyond festivity and merrymaking, into a platform for collaboration and new opportunities for Nagaland. He noted that the MoU with Toyota Kirloskar was conceptualised and finalised within a short timeframe, and commended the company for adopting an efficient implementation framework.

Strengthening artisanal economy

In a separate programme earlier in the day, Rio launched two documents aimed at supporting the artisanal economy under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The documents include the “PM Vishwakarma Nagaland Product Catalogue” and the study titled “Crafting Cultural Futures – A Study on the Artisanal Economy in Nagaland under PM Vishwakarma”.

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The launch was held in the presence of Hekani Jakhalu, Advisor for Industries and Commerce; Kumar Ramnikant, Secretary of Industries and Commerce; and P Tokugha Sema, Director of Industries and Commerce, according to a DIPR update.

The PM Vishwakarma Nagaland Product Catalogue, developed by the department of Industries and Commerce, is the first compilation showcasing handcrafted items made by artisans trained under the scheme. It features products across trades such as carpentry, basket weaving, doll and toy making, and tailoring. The catalogue aims to increase market visibility and create opportunities for retail sales, institutional sourcing, and bulk orders.

The second document provides an analysis of the artisanal landscape in Nagaland, reviewing the experiences of trained artisans, customer preferences, and existing institutional support. It identifies challenges in areas such as product design, branding, digital literacy and access to formal marketplaces. The report also highlights growing demand for meaningful and locally crafted items and recommends measures to strengthen market access, quality assurance and product development.

The update stated that the documents represent an important milestone in efforts to empower artisans and expand Nagaland’s craft economy, while honouring the state’s cultural heritage.

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