Noklak (Nagaland) [India], March 23 (HBTV): Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, became the first Union minister to visit Noklak, Nagaland, one of the most remote districts in the country. During her visit, she was briefed on the district's development by Deputy Commissioner Arikumba, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a release on Saturday.

She also reviewed the progress of the Thonoknyu Aspirational Block Programme, interacted with civil society representatives, and visited key sites, including Nokyan village, the District Hospital, and the Multi-Discipline Sports Complex of Noklak.

Noklak, known as the 'Frontier District,' is located in Nagaland's easternmost region. The district, which had a total population of 55,434 according to the 2011 Census, spans approximately 1,152 square kilometres. With 14,630 households, it remains largely rural and is home to the Khiamniungan Naga tribe. The district's agrarian economy is based on crops such as millets, perilla seeds, maize, beans, yam, and Job's Tear. Noklak's cultural heritage has also been recognised; in 2022, it received the Sustainable Development Award for Economic Sustainability.

During the visit, Khadse assessed the progress of Thonoknyu Block across 40 key development indicators under themes such as health and nutrition, education, agriculture, social development, and basic infrastructure. The block, previously ranked among the least developed, has seen significant improvement—rising from 465th place in March 2023 to 85th place in September 2024 out of 500 blocks in India.

‘The Sampoornata Abhiyan, a targeted three-month campaign implemented from July to September 2024 across six key performance indicators, played a major role in this transformation. Thonoknyu Block has achieved 100% saturation in five of the six KPIs, despite being ranked 465th out of 471 aspirational blocks as of March 2024. The remarkable progress we witnessed in Thonoknyu Block is a shining example that when dedication meets determination and coordination, every milestone can be achieved,’ Khadse said.

During her interaction, the Union minister stressed that India's growth depends on ensuring that its most remote and underdeveloped regions are not left behind. She reiterated the government's commitment to inclusive development, highlighting that Noklak district and Thonoknyu Block’s progress reflects the impact of focused governance and community participation. She reaffirmed the government's resolve to provide necessary resources and opportunities to even the most geographically isolated regions, ensuring sustainable growth and development, the release added.

(ANI)