2 weeks Ago By Manash Pratim Gohain
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav being held in New Delhi, is not just a celebration, but an opportunity for the world to witness the strength and diversity of the northeast NEW DELHI: Reflecting on the progress made in the country's northeast over the last decade, PM Narendra Modi on Friday said development in the region was sidelined for years due to a focus on vote-based politics, but his govt reversed that trend by investing in infrastructure, social initiatives and peace-building measures. Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, he drew attention to the reduction in violence and insurgency in the region, attributing it to historic peace agreements and efforts to resolve border disputes. "Thousands of young people have abandoned the path of violence and embraced the path of development.
Incidents of violence have significantly decreased, and many districts have been removed from the list of disturbed areas," he said. Modi said, "For years, development in the northeast was sidelined due to a focus on vote-based politics. This govt has reversed that trend, investing over Rs 5 lakh crore in the region over the past decade, a figure unmatched in previous decades.
" "In the last 10 years, nearly 5,000 km of national highways have been completed. Rail connectivity has increased manifold, and the first Vande Bharat train in the northeast has started running. Projects like the Sela Tunnel and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway are expanding connectivity.
" He said the mahotsav is not just a celebration, but an opportunity for the entire world to witness the strength and diversity of the northeast, a region, which, he said, plays a pivotal role in shaping India's future. It is a celebration of the northeast's promising future and a new dawn of development that will accelerate India's mission of becoming a developed nation, he added. Addressing an audience that included artisans, investors and dignitaries, as well as CMs of the NE states, Modi underscored the pivotal role the region plays in shaping India's future.
"After the West-centric era, the 21st century belongs to the East, to Asia, and to India. In this context, I firmly believe that the future of Mother India lies in eastern India, in our northeast," he said, as he highlighted the shift in focus from India's western cities to emerging hubs in the northeast. He expressed confidence that cities like Guwahati, Imphal, and Shillong will define the next chapter of India's growth story.
The event showcases the region's textiles, traditional craftsmanship, tourism avenues, and unique GI-tagged products. Modi lauded the cultural and economic significance of the northeast, likening its eight states to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India .
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