Raksha Khadse becomes first Union Minister to visit Noklak, ‘Frontier District’

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

She also reviewed the progress of the ThonoknyuU 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 has a total population of 55,434 according to the 2011 Census, is roughly 1,152 square kilometres in size. With 14,630 households, it is mostly rural and home to the Khiamniungan Naga tribe. Low population density and an agrarian economy based on the production of millets, perilla seeds, maise, beans, yam, and Job’s Tear are characteristics of Noklak. The district’s cultural legacy has also been acknowledged; in 2022, the Sustainable Development Award for Economic Sustainability went to the Noklak Masterpieces.

During the visit, Khadse assessed the progress made by the Thonoknyu Block in 40 key development indicators under themes such as Health and nutrition, Education, Agriculture, Social Development, and Basic infrastructure. The Block, which was previously ranked among the least aspirational blocks, has improved significantly, 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 that was implemented from July to September 2024 across six key performance indicators, has played a major role in this change. Thonoknyu Block has attained 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 the interaction, the Union Minister remarked that for India to thrive as a nation, its most remote and underdeveloped regions must no longer be left behind and reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive development. She highlighted that the progress made by Noklak district and Thonoknyu Block reflects the impact of focused governance and community participation. She reaffirmed the government’s resolve to provide the necessary resources and opportunities to even the most geographically isolated regions, ensuring sustainable growth and development, the release added. (ANI)