KOHIMA, Dec 5: Union Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Wednesday visited Kohima, paying homage at the historic Kohima War Cemetery and highlighting Nagaland’s emerging cultural and entrepreneurial strengths.
Scindia laid a wreath at the cemetery, calling it a “symbol of courage, sacrifice, and shared history,” and noting its enduring emotional significance as a site that draws visitors from across India and abroad. The Battle of Kohima, he said, remains one of the most defining moments of World War II in the Asian theatre.
After the solemn tribute, the Minister visited the Garrison Café — a distinctive cultural space in the capital that fuses wartime legacy with modern Naga creativity. Enjoying a cup of locally grown coffee, Scindia praised Nagaland’s flourishing coffee sector, saying, “Coffee is the USP of Nagaland,” and commended efforts that promote entrepreneurship, youth engagement, and cultural tourism.
He lauded initiatives like the café for strengthening community-based enterprises and contributing to the state’s creative economy. Nagaland’s coffee mission has been gaining national attention, with the state government positioning high-quality Naga coffee as a unique identity marker in global markets.
Scindia is slated to visit the Hornbill Festival on Thursday. Recognized as one of India’s foremost cultural showcases, the festival highlights Nagaland’s rich traditions, crafts, food, and music. His visit underscores the Centre’s focus on enhancing cultural tourism, boosting local livelihoods, and driving socio-economic development across the North Eastern Region.
