The Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), the state's first medical college, officially opened its doors on Friday with the admission of the first class of 100 students.

Chief Secretary J Alam remarked during the induction ceremony at its site in Kohima's Phriebagie that this not only signals the start of an academic session, but also the realisation of the state's long-cherished desire of having a medical college.

"It is a historic moment for the entire state because we now have our own medical college." "This is the beginning of a transformative journey that will shape the state's healthcare future," he said.

The medical college is the culmination of everyone's joint goal, he continued.

Alam requested the institute's 45-member faculty to help him construct an institution of excellence.

He also urged the students to work hard, emphasising their future role in changing the lives of many people and addressing healthcare inequities.

Alam stated that the government will provide all necessary assistance in building the institute into one of the greatest in the country.

NIMSR dean-cum-director Dr Soumya Chakraborty said the first batch has 100 MBBS students -- 85 from Nagaland and 15 from other parts of the country.

Welcoming the students, Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare Ritu Thurr said that success is not something that one sees by accidents but it takes lots of preparation, self-discipline, and sacrifice.

"There is no substitute for hard work. The harder you work, the luckier you get," she said.