By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), Oct 7: Vice-president of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who arrived Nagaland Thursday for a day’s visit to inaugurate some projects including directorate of Information Technology & Communication, Kohima, Government High Schools, in Nagaland, and ministerial residential complex, Kohima, said that peace was the essential pre-requisite for progress and prosperity.
He said this while speaking after the virtual inauguration of newly constructed buildings of GHS, Chumukedima Village, GHS Diphupar ‘B’, Yajen Aier GHS, Mopungchuket, Mokokchung, Zuheshe Village GHS, Dimapur, and directorate of Information Technology & Communication , Kohima.
Stating “if you have tension, you cannot pay attention” and that being the case, peace should be the prime component for development and for which all should work, Naidu called upon all not to encourage the forces of violence and also called upon “those people” who have taken violence to come back to normal lives as according to him, they cannot achieve anything through violence.
“You will be putting hardship to the people. If you are really interested in prosperity of the people, you must help the peace process,” he said and also added that the way forward is “dialogue, discretion and decision” and other than that there is no way.
Adding that they cannot challenge the “might” of Government of India as the latter is committed to the safety, security and sovereignty of the people of India which also include Nagaland and northeast states, Naidu pointed out that all these beautiful states of the region are part of the country and so being the case, all issues of border, local identity and of other nature could be “discussed, debated and decided”.
While stating that people’s patience is running out as they want a leadership, and they want resolution to the issue, Naidu complimented Rio for taking up the initiative and also all the legislators for calling upon “those people” who have taken arms to go back to the discussion table for which he said he is happy that the discussions are going on in Delhi and hoped that they would come to a conclusion at the earliest.
The vice-President also said that if this was the need to promote all round development, he is certain that driven by a cohesive sense of purpose, the people of Nagaland would contribute in “fast tracking” the progress of the state.
Also stating that people of Nagaland need good roads, transports, health facilities, education, employment and other good services and facilities like drinking water, sanitation, good infrastructure and play ground, opportunities to utilize the natural resources which are available within the state of Nagaland, Naidu said that all these are possible only through peace and democratic process.
“People want not only development, welfare, or wealth but they want peace and happiness” he added.
Having learnt that Nagaland has more than 80 percent literacy rate, Naidu said he is happy and encouraged for cent percent achievements while also encouraging for eliminating gender bias at the earliest (if any) as all women also form part of the society and the state.
He said that women should be given their due after proper consultation and should see to it that they also get adequate representation and proper recognition and for these, to work together as “team India” led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at the Centre, State government led by Neiphiu Rio while also encouraging the local bodies and village councils to work together in unison for development to be accelerated.
He said all might be from different political parties but the aim is to bring happiness to the people and also for all round development of the country and in Nagaland for which all must join hands and work together to take the country to greater heights and also the region.
Naidu also disclosed that the union government led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the development of Nagaland including giving special emphasis on the development of north eastern states.
He said that government of India is focussing on not only infrastructural development in the northeast but in many other ways by introducing the “Look East”, “Act East” and now “Act Fast” policies as part of people’s aspirations.
Also mentioning that Nagaland is known for its diversity and richness in handicrafts and handlooms, agro produce and its hard working people, and on the other hand, there is huge potential to be tapped in different sectors by giving a fillip to all round development in Nagaland, the vice-President felt that if all infrastructure could be fast-tracked on priority basis, the state can be greatly benefitted in the coming years.
On the recent Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2021, he said Nagaland has performed well on certain index of development but he said the state need to work on other indicators as well.
Neiphiu Rio in his speech while thanking Venkaiah Naidu for inaugurating the new projects which the Nagaland government have completed including the IT & C, Kohima, informed that the building of information technology and communication directorate at Kohima houses the software technology and hoped that it would make a “power house” to field technology innovation and make a preferred destination for the Information Technology not only for the Northeast but also the South East Asia.
He said as everyone is aware that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, had made an announcement of “Look East” policy after which more opportunities in the East and South Asia have opened for the people.
He hoped that Nagaland will also promote through the IT park across the country and make Modi’s dream of “digital India” a reality.
Rio in his speech stated that since Nagaland is an English speaking state with more than 80 percent literacy, he also hoped that there will be many employment opportunities.
He later informed that almost all the directorate has been shifted to the Kohima Capital Complex with the Secretariat and also CM’s and the ministerial residences.
With the inauguration of the projects, Rio hoped that it would send a good message to the people of the state, particularly to youth and the students in order to motivate them.
Also speaking at the programme, Nagaland Governor, Jagdish Mukhi, while extending his gratitude to the Vice-president of India for inaugurating the completed projects, said that Nagaland has a young population with immense human resources potential.
He informed that about 30 percent of the population are between the age groups of 15-30 years while 25 percent makes those under 14 years.
In order to compete with other states, Mukhi said quality education is fundamental and Nagaland needs to invest in its people for possible all round developmental achievements of health care to agricultural innovations and to efficient public administration and private sectors.
He informed that the Government of India’s flagship programme in school education department such as Samagra Shiksa Scheme, Mid-day Meal, and Right To Education Act schemes requires upskilling for bringing a positive transformation.
“The state is greatly dependent on Central funding from Samagra Shiksa Scheme for infrastructural development, school grants, teachers’ salaries and education, and other learning supplies,” the governor said and added that these schemes covers the whole government schools from primary to higher secondary level.
He hoped that with the new school buildings being inaugurated, the teachers would ensure more commitment to impart positive oriented education to the students in their respective areas.
Before the virtual inauguration of the completed projects, Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, also made his maiden visit to ICAR National Research Centre on Mithun, Jarnapani, Medziphema, Dimapur, where he was received by Director ICAR (Mithun), Dr. M.H. Khar; Principal Scientist NRC Mithun, Dr. N. Haque; Joint Director ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr. Raj Khowa; ADC Medziphema, Imsong Meren; SDO (Civil) Tokai V Sumi and scientists of ICAR.
The Vice President was accompanied by Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Jagdish Mukhi, Deputy CM, Y. Patton, Minister of Agriculture, G. Kaito Aye and DC Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan.
He also witnessed a live Mithun and fed fodder, visited the exhibition hall and addressed the gathering.
Naidu expressed his joy visiting the North East region, being one of the richest bio-reserved states in the world.
The Vice President encouraged the gathering to protect, preserve and continue to give top priority in research in the North East Region. He also expressed his happiness to hear and know about the Institute and wished all the scientists and people working in the ICAR to focus more and more and come out successful in this research institute.
Welcome address was proposed by Director ICAR (Mithun), Dr M.H. Khar who also highlighted the achievement and development of ICAR. Joint Director ICAR (NEH) highlighted on the activities of ICAR.
Earlier on his arrival at Dimapur Airport by Aircraft India 2, the Vice-President of India was received by Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, and Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Patton.
He was accorded the Guard of Honour by 15th NAP, Mahila Battalion under the Guard Command of Assistant Commandant, Medemkala Tzudir.
Chief Secretary, J Alam, DGP, John Longkumer, DC Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan, CP Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, and other officials were also present to receive the Vice President at the airport.
