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State is gateway to the South-East Asia, says HM
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MH&FW has sanctioned Rs. 300 crore for medical college
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North-East pivot of Government’s ‘Act East’ policy’
Our Correspondent
Kisama, December 1
The people of Nagaland has suffered for a long time, stated the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday calling upon the "state’s citizen to take long strides for the rapid economic growth of the economy."
“On the 55th Anniversary of the State, I call upon all my friends of this State to take long strides for the rapid economic growth of the country as well as that of Nagaland and make all of us proud Indians to be contributors in making India a world power,” he said gracing the opening ceremony of 19th Hornbill Festival here at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, about 10 Km away from state capital Kohima.
“As we celebrate Christmas in a few weeks and march on to the New Year 2019, I wish it brings lasting peace as well as an opportunity to let the past behind and look forward to a brighter future that would help all young Naga boys and girls realize their aspirations of a better life,” he added.
“While we are all rightly proud of our rich and glorious past, we also have to create conditions conducive for our rich future. Nearly 50% of Nagaland population is below 25 years. It is they who will shape the future of India including the future of Nagaland. We have to create conditions where their creative and entrepreneurial potential is unleashed to the optimum,” Singh stated.
He also expressed happiness that Nagaland state is going to get its first Medical College for which a sum of Rs. 300 crore has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
The North East Council (NEC) has also funded setting of a North East Regional Multi-Disciplinary Paramedical Institute, Dimapur at a cost of R.4981.31 lakh, he noted.
Besides, over the years Government of India has executed a large number of other projects in Nagaland leading her to the path of faster and all-round development, he added.
He expressed happiness that Naga society has also produced many great sons and daughters including Dr T Ao, captain of the Indian Football Team in 1948 London Olympics; Rani Gaidinliu, the great freedom fighter; Dr Senka Ao, a Scientist associated with the launching of Apollo 11 to the moon and many more.
Today, Naga boys and girls have emerged as some of the finest musicians, pianists and popular exponents in the field of art and culture both within the country and abroad.
Expressing happiness that the police and the tourism department of Nagaland Government have started the Tourist Police, he said: “I am sure it will help lift Nagaland to another level where visitors from outside will go back with a lot of happy stories of the state and the region.”
NE is emerging as a favoured destination of businesses, tourists
For the last few years, he said, India is making faster progress in all socio-economic sectors and the country has emerged as the fastest growing major economy in the world with the current ranking being sixth.
“We are expected to be one of the top three economic powers of the world in the next 10-15 years…The government of India has taken various initiatives to further accelerate the economic growth,” Singh said.
The story of this growth will be written by our youths of the North-East region, he added.
The Home Minister maintained that Nagaland is geographically located at a vantage point. “It is the gateway to South-East Asia. North-East is the pivot of our Government’s ‘Act East’ policy,” he said.
“Today, we are at the best of relations with our neighbour Myanmar. On the bedrock of our shared cultural and civilizational linkages with Myanmar, we have also a large spectrum of shared interests.”
The Government of India is determined to build and improve our connectivity and engagement with South-East Asia, Singh said adding “Today India and ASEAN are partners in growth.”
He also announced that steps are also being taken for speeding development of North-Eastern Region, including Nagaland adding, “We believe that nation can prosper only when all the States develop at a faster pace.”
The NEC is building a North Eastern Cultural and Information Centre in Delhi, Singh further informed.
“The proposed centre would showcase the rich history, culture, heritage and cuisine of the eight States in the North East.
It will also establish facilities for promotion of tourism, a Common Facility Centre, Library, Knowledge and Resource Centre in the National Capital.
This Centre would facilitate dissemination of knowledge about the rich cultural heritage of the North East,” he said.
