Assam Governor attends Vibrant North East 2024
Calls for collective efforts to catapult NE’s development as a catalyst to national development
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: Assam Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya attended the Vibrant North East 2024, organized by the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development today at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
Speaking on the occasion as a chief guest, the Governor lauded the initiative of the organizer and other stakeholders for recognizing the North Eastern Region as a burgeoning frontier of growth and development. The Governor appreciated the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development for its role in organizing this impactful event, noting that Vibrant North East is not just a reflection of the region’s past and present, but a guiding force towards a future.
Considering the huge resource pool, Shri Acharya emphasized that the region’s rich landscapes, diverse communities, and vast untapped resources have positioned it as a prime contributor to progress of the nation. The Governor highlighted the natural wealth of the North East, underscoring its fertile land, abundant water resources, dense forests, and agriculture-friendly climate. He also spoke on the region’s historical importance in international trade, recalling that Assam was once a key player, connected through road, rail, and riverine networks to the Bay of Bengal and Myanmar.
Reflecting on the impact of the partition, the Governor observed that the division had severed Assam and the North East from ASEAN markets, limiting access to natural trade routes. However, he pointed out that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the region is now undergoing a rapid transformation, unlocking its potential.
The Governor commended the Act East Policy, enunciated in 2014, which he said revitalized ties between North East India and ASEAN, opening up opportunities in communication, transportation, trade, tourism, and other sectors. He said that the development of the region requires continued infrastructure expansion to reap rich dividends of Guwahati’s strategic positioning Guwahati as the gateway South and Southeast Asia.
The Governor also called for collective efforts to bolster regional economic growth while preserving the cultural heritage of the region. He highlighted the need for collaboration among government, business organisations, and civil society to overcome challenges and build a prosperous North East which will be a key contributor to the nation’s growth.
President, Indian Council of Agriculture and Food Mukesh Singh, Trade Attache of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Mohammad Iqbal Djamil, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Guwahati Circle Loken Das along with a host of other dignitaries were present in the inaugural function.