Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh urges evidence-based studies for rural development while interacting with IIT Madras and NIT Mizoram students under the New India Mission Internship Programme focused on technology-driven solutions for village challenges.
Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) on Monday emphasized the urgent need for in-depth, evidence-based studies to better understand rural challenges and design sustainable development strategies that can improve the quality of life in villages across the state.
Addressing students participating in the New India Mission Internship Programme, the Governor said that meaningful rural development requires a deep understanding of ground realities rather than surface-level assumptions. He stressed that systematic research and innovation-driven solutions are essential for strengthening agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods in rural regions.
The Governor was speaking during an interactive session held at the Durbar Hall of Lok Bhavan, where he met 32 engineering students—11 from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and 21 from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Mizoram—who are currently part of the pilot internship programme.
During the interaction, General Singh (Retd) engaged with the students on their field experiences, research observations, and project ideas derived from recent village visits. He encouraged them to think critically about rural problems and explore innovative technological interventions that are both practical and scalable.
Describing the New India Mission Internship Programme as a highly commendable initiative, the Governor said it effectively channels the creativity, skills, and technical expertise of engineering students toward solving real-world rural challenges. He noted that such exposure not only benefits rural communities but also enriches students’ understanding of socio-economic realities.
Commending IIT Madras for its longstanding contributions to national development, General Singh also praised the institution’s collaboration with NIT Mizoram. He said the partnership reflects the spirit of cooperative learning and knowledge sharing aimed at addressing region-specific rural issues in Mizoram.
Urging the students to align themselves fully with the objectives of the programme, the Governor remarked, “Some of the best ideas come from people like you.” He encouraged them to think beyond conventional solutions and adopt a problem-solving mindset rooted in local needs and sustainability.
Highlighting Mizoram’s strong dependence on agriculture, the Governor called for focused efforts to increase agricultural productivity, improve supply chain systems, and enhance processing techniques. He emphasized that technological interventions in agriculture could significantly boost farmers’ incomes and reduce post-harvest losses.
General Singh (Retd) reiterated the importance of comprehensive studies in identifying structural gaps in rural development. He said that data-driven planning would help policymakers and development agencies implement more effective and long-lasting solutions for rural communities.
Extending warm wishes to the visiting students, the Governor expressed hope that their stay in Mizoram would be academically enriching and socially meaningful. He encouraged them to engage closely with local communities to gain firsthand insights into their challenges and aspirations.
Sukanta Roy, Dean (Academics) and Faculty In-Charge of Training and Placement and Student Exchange at NIT Mizoram, led the student delegation. He briefed the Governor on the objectives, structure, and timeline of the internship programme, highlighting its focus on experiential learning and rural problem-solving.
Students participating in the session shared their observations from village field visits, including challenges related to water access, energy availability, healthcare infrastructure, agricultural practices, and environmental sustainability. The interaction featured thoughtful questions, constructive feedback, and engaging discussions.
The pilot internship programme, themed “Technology and Rural Development,” involves a total of 32 students from IIT Madras and NIT Mizoram. It is scheduled to run from December 16, 2025, to January 10, 2026.
During the programme, students will conduct field research in selected villages across Mizoram. Based on their findings, they will identify key development challenges and design technical, project-based solutions in areas such as energy, water management, health, agriculture, and sustainability, contributing to the broader goal of inclusive rural development.
