Staff Reporter / Guwahati
President Ram Nath Kovind today expressed hope that the North Eastern region will emerge as an engine of growth for the entire country.
Speaking at the valedictory function of the North East Festival organised by the Ministry of Development of North East Region as a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ in Guwahati today, President Kovind said that efforts were needed now to place the NE states on par with the industrially advanced states of the country so that more jobs are created. Recognising this need, the Union Government is working on these parameters.
The President said that NE states are the natural gateway to the South Asian countries with international boundaries of over 3,500 kilometres and they are strategically significant for our country.
Mr Kovind said that the Act East Policy has made a paradigm shift for the development of the NE states.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that NE states are progressing rapidly under the present government and his government is trying to resolve the border issues with all neighboring states through discussion.
The DoNER Ministry organised the week-long celebrations of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ across the eight North Eastern states which was inaugurated on 28th of April in their own special and significant manner. Every day, starting from the 29th of April, it was celebrated under a different theme across these states and every key event was attended by the concerned Union Ministers.
During this week-long event, unsung heroes of North East were celebrated through different programmes and events.Governors of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur also attended the AKAM event.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for DoNER, Tourism and Culture G. K. Reddy and Union Mos for Petrolium & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment, Mr. Rameswar Teli along with six Chief Ministers of NE states were present on this occasion.