Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Mr. Arjun Munda on 26th April 2022, visited Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (C ) being implemented by YouthNet in Tuophema under Kohima district, which is also slotted as one of the best performing VDVKC in the State and had won three state level awards organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it targets livelihood generation for tribals by harnessing the wealth of forest i.e. Van Dhan. The scheme is implemented by YouthNet with Made In Nagaland Centre (MIN) Kohima as common facility centre for procurement and value addition.
Nari Shakti Presidential awardee , highest Honour given to women in India for contribution to the society, Ms.Hekani Jakhalu Kense , Founder YouthNet stated that in the past 10 years of working specifically on livelihood and entrepreneurship , stressed in her speech in the presence of union Minister that youth and entrepreneurs of Nagaland are creative and hard working but the biggest challenge that is faced is marketing the products and submitted a concept note to the union Minister for setting up a Made in Nagaland Center in Dimapur Which was agreed “in principle “being the commercial hub of Nagaland.
The Center proposes to cater to showcase over 500 local products which will cater to both B2C and B2B purposes.
This proposed center will not only enhance the livelihood of the people in Dimapur , having urban and rural population and provide platform for young entrepreneurs , but help the economic growth which is a crucial for the development of the State, she further informed the union Minister that Dimapur being the Hub of supply chain activities for transportation cannot be neglected or overlooked, but given its due importance.
Shri Arjun Munda also launched the new products of YouthNet VDVKC during his visit to VDVK Centre in Touphema village, Nagaland.