Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Friday inaugurated the two-day Tech X Gaming Expo 2026 (TXG Expo 2026) at the NBCC Convention Hall, Kohima, highlighting technology, gaming and innovation as emerging avenues for youth empowerment and economic growth in Nagaland.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Rio said the Expo represented a convergence of technology, gaming, innovation, education and the aspirations of Nagaland’s young people. He stressed that gaming and e-sports should no longer be viewed merely as recreational activities, but as gateways to careers in fields such as race engineering, game development, data analytics, streaming and digital content creation.
The Chief Minister particularly highlighted the Kohima Round of the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, describing its arrival in the Northeast for the first time as a significant opportunity for local talent. He said such initiatives could provide young people with pathways to national and international platforms.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Rio said technology could help Nagaland overcome its geographical limitations and connect its young talent with opportunities across India and the world without necessarily requiring them to leave the State.
Rio pointed to several government initiatives in GIS, drone technology, e-sports, information technology, start-ups and artificial intelligence, including the STPI centre in Kohima, the upcoming Nagaland Innovation Hub for Startups at Chumoukedima and the proposed AI Centre of Excellence.
He also emphasised the changing role of the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) in the digital era. Communication, he said, was no longer limited to disseminating government information but had also become a means of telling Nagaland’s story to the world.
Nagaland, he said, has a remarkable story to tell through its culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, music, sports, innovation and young talent. Modern communication platforms should therefore be used not only to showcase the State’s natural beauty and heritage but also the talent, innovation and aspirations of its people.
The Chief Minister noted that DIPR, along with the Departments of School Education, Youth Reunder Planning & Coordination, was collaborating to organise the expo. He said such inter-departmental cooperation demonstrated what could be achieved when different government departments worked towards the common objective of preparing young people for the future
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Rio also welcomed the proposed collaboration with Google, involving an investment of more than ₹100 million in school education, describing it as an important step towards improving learning outcomes and equipping students with 21st-century skills.
Addressing the youth, the Chief Minister urged them not to allow their geographical location to limit their ambitions. He encouraged them to explore emerging fields including gaming, coding, artificial intelligence, music, design, robotics, sports and entrepreneurship, while emphasising the importance of discipline, hard work and continuous learning.
“Nagaland is no longer merely a spectator in the digital transformation. We are ready to participate. We are ready to innovate. We are ready to compete. And we are ready to lead,” Rio said.
He expressed hope that TXG Expo 2026 would help position Nagaland as a recognised hub for technology, innovation, gaming, e-sports and digital talent in the Northeast.
Organised by the Nagaland Esports Society (NES), the two-day expo being held on August 28 and 29 brings gaming, technology, artificial intelligence, e-sports, digital creativity and entertainment together under one platform.
The expo features e-sports tournaments, gaming competitions, cosplay, digital art and AI creative challenges, a 48-hour Game Jam, workshops, panel discussions, technology exhibitions, live entertainment, and food and vendor experiences.
A major attraction is the Kohima Round of the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, organised in collaboration with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited. The event provides aspiring racers and technology enthusiasts from Nagaland and the Northeast an opportunity to compete in sim racing as part of a national championship pathway.
The expo also features industry experts and speakers discussing gaming, AI, technology, digital careers and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on emerging opportunities for young people.
NES said the expo seeks to promote gaming and technology not merely as entertainment but as expanding fields offering career, innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth of Nagaland and the wider Northeast.
