By: W. Rorrkychand Singh
Considering the people of the Northeast as outsiders and keeping the region at the periphery of development, the eight easternmost states were the victims of mishandling and alienation for a long time. The region got new hope after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014.
Northeast, the most neglected region, recently has become the focal point of India’s growth and development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself visited the region more than 50 times and his different Cabinet Ministers visited more than 400 times in the last 8 years.
The need for an inclusive development of the region and its strategic importance in national security and economic growth was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who endowed the PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East) scheme.
Bringing the region on the map of G-20’s meeting venues is out of one’s imagination. Under India’s Presidency of the Summit, each state of the Northeast will host meetings with different themes. It will enable to showcase the exquisite unexplored Northeast to the rest of the world. India’s G20 Presidency is a real boon for the Northeast, it will attract and create a favorable ecosystem for global investors in the region.
Astha Lakshmi of Bharat:
Ashta Lakshmi or Ashtalakshmi is the eight diffrent manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi (Adi, Dhana, Dhanya, Gaja, Santana, Dhairya, Vijaya and Vidya Lakshmi). The region that shares international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Tibet is the gateway to the East Asian countries. With its scenic landscapes, rich culture and heritage and warm welcoming people, the region has the potential to become a favourite tourism hub in the world.
“Yeh Bharat ke bhagya ko badalne ki Ashta Lakshmi hai (This is Ashta Lakshmi to change the destiny of India),” Prime Minister, Narendra Modi predicted the future of Northeast during his visit to Imphal in 2014. The vision and conviction of the Prime Minister to turn the eight states of Northeast India into an engine to accelerate the development of the country are becoming clear each passing day with new developmental projects, connectivity, schemes and initiatives. The development of the Northeast was never an issue for the previous Central governments. The seriousness to make the region a vibrant and growth engine of the nation was witnessed only during Modi’s Primeministership.
Instilling people’s hope:
The Northeastern states of India, that was once lost faith in the Central government are now renewed and inching towards peace and development after 2014. The Prime Minister succeeded in instilling the hope and aspiration of the young Northeast people with the delivery of commitment. The unprecedented pace of developmental works, customized schemes and reaching the unreached was never witnessed before in the region.
Keeping in faith with Prime Minister, Modi’s leadership, many insurgent groups and militants have returned to the mainstream. Agreement with the National Liberation Front of Tripura in 2019, The Bru and Bodo Agreement in 2020, Karbi Agreement in 2021, resolving long awaited Assam-Meghalaya and Assam-Arunachal border disputes and the recent signing of ‘Cessation of Operation’ agreement with Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) are the blaring example of supporting the Modi’s government by the people of Northeast.
According to the Ministry of Development of the North-East Region, there has been a 74% reduction in insurgency incidents, 60% reduction in incidents of attacks on security forces and 89% reduction in civilian deaths. About 8,000 youth have surrendered and have joined the mainstream.
In the state of Manipur, which was once known as the hotspot of insurgency, militants are returning to the mainstream. As many as 43 cadres from 8 militant groups have laid down their arms during a Homecoming ceremony this new year.
Blooming Northeast:
To restore peace and social harmony a stable government is needed in the crisis-torn Northeastern states of India. BJP, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, delivered a stable government in Assam, Manipur, and Tripur. The party is in alliance with Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party in Nagaland and the National People’s Party in Meghalaya. The party has enabled to build of a united nation and the Northeast is connected with the rest of the Indian states unlike before.
The citizen-centric governments in the BJP-ruled Northeastern states are a boon to the people of the region. The ease of doing business ecosystem, skill development initiatives of youths, doorstep delivery of welfare schemes etc restored the minds of the people and facilitate Northeast people to contribute to nation-building.
