Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the colorful Hornbill festival aimed at to maintain harmony among 16 dominant tribes of Nagaland, on Monday said that Northeastern states have the potential to become the gateway to South East Asian economy to India.
In his address, Mr Modi said, “There are special economic zones in some parts. Here it is NEZ Natural Economic Zone. My priority is to tap this NEZ for NE (northeast). NE made for NEZ, NEZ made for NE.”
Lauding that festival, which coincide with the statehood day of Nagaland and intends to promote, preserve and protect unique cultural diversity of Nagaland, Mr Modi said, “Let us build a resurgent, stronger and more prosperous Nagaland and India.”
Wearing the traditional headgear and dress of Naga warrior, Mr Modi also regretted that it was over a decade since Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Nagaland.
“It takes 10- 15 hours to reach New Delhi from Nagaland but it took over 10 years for a Prime Minister to visit the state,” said Mr Modi.
Mr Modi also announced two special scholarships for students from the northeast Ishan Uday and Ishan Vikas. “Nagaland has young population, well versed in English, in tune with what is happening around the world. This advantage must be tapped,” he said.
The scheme Ishan Uday is a special scholarship for Northeast students, which will benefit 10,000 students. The second Ishan Vikash will facilitate an internship at IITs and NITs for 2,000 students and 500 teachers from the region every year.
Mr Modi also announced that a modern apparel and garment-manufacturing centre will be set up in each Northeastern states, starting with Nagaland, Assam and Sikkim.
He further said that railways ministry has proposed 14 new railway line projects in the Northeast to built at a cost of worth 28,000 crore.
Narrating the proposed plan of his government for Northeast Mr Modi said, “A comprehensive telecom development plan for the Northeast has also been envisaged with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore.”
There will also be a National Sports University for Northeast and six new colleges for agriculture. “The Northeast can be capital of organic agriculture,” said Mr Modi.
