FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
Itagar, March 16: The eight North Eastern states, particularly Aruchal Pradesh would witness tremendous development during the next four years with the central government headed by Prime Minister rendra Modi adopting a paradigm shift to accelerate the development process, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said here Sunday.
Addressing the Festival of Unity of the Aruchal Panorama at the Rajiv Gandhi University near here, Rijiju said that as per 14th Fince Commission recommendations, Aruchal will get four times higher allocation but feared if the state had the capacity to absorb such huge funds.
He said funds allocated are surrendered while utilisation certificates remain pending all the times.. The border trade will begin at Moreh (Manipur), Pangsau Pass and Tawang (In Aruchal), the BSNL will provide broadband facilities within a year and all Aruchal villages, irrespective of population will be linked by road by 2019. Expressing concern that the state exported the mece of bandh culture from Assam to turn it into a land of associations and unions, he blamed the past rulers, seniors and himself for misgovernce, adding that the character of politicians’ reflect society.
Calling on the Rajiv Gandhi University to develop a pan-Aruchal identity, Rijiju said that the institution is not only a centre of excellence, but also a symbol of unity that could become the guiding force for state building. For this, he added, the academicians could play a vital role.
“Intolerance is the greatest enemy of Aruchal with the locals only identifying themselves on clan lines. If gami is the unifying factor for gas, Aruchalees have to evolve a pan-Aruchalee identity as their unifying symbol,” he reasoned.
Exhorting the varsity community to work for higher global ranking of the RGU with conviction and commitment and to achieve the goal by not only producing job seekers, but also producing job givers, he said, “We cannot remain a consumer state, but have to be a producer one.”
Admitting that the people of the NE are racially discrimited in the mainland because of ignorance, he said students of the region studying in the mainland have been assured of protection through the amendments of the IPC and the CrPC.
However, he called upon the youth to prove their mettle like Olympics medalist boxer Mary Kom to get recognised, instead of craving for it.
“As the RGU nurtures knowledge, you could pitch in to assist the GoAP finding solutions to numerous gging problems,” the state’s Horticulture Parliamentary Secretary, Mutchu Mithi, said, adding “You have the capability to shape state’s destiny. A united Aruchal as envisioned would not be possible if we don’t think uniformly and talk univocally”.
“Voice your concerns in a positive manner and grab the opportunities after passing out of the varsity, as the state is heading for progress and prosperity,” Mithi added.
Earlier, RGU Vice Chancellor Professor Tamo Mibang said the platform, conceived by former Aruchal University Vice Chancellor Professor Atul Sharma to develop a pan-Aruchal identity, would facilitate the youth to promote, preserve and protect their rich cultural heritage while strengthening the canvas of unity and diversity.
He hoped the youth would rise to the occasion to achieve the goal to strengthen the tiol unity by emulating the ideals of Rijiju, a role model for the state’s youth.
The festival got off to a colourful start with cultural presentation, reflecting the ‘unity in diversity’ spirit of state’s numerous tribes.