Naqvi extols PM's role in development of NE

Guwahati: Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Deputy Leader, Rajya Sabha, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Friday that the 'Modi Mantra' of 'PWD' (Poor, Women, Downtrodden) empowerment has demolished the 'communal, casteist, corruption consortium'.

Addressing the media at the 'Hunar Haat' which is being organized here, Naqvi said that, while on one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become an 'icon' of inclusive empowerment of the deprived and downtrodden in India, on the other hand he has been accepted as a 'Ray of Hope' for peace across the world.

State Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will formally inaugurate the Guwahati "Hunar Haat" at 11.30 am on Saturday.

Naqvi said that while every section in the country considers the Prime Minister as a symbol of "trust with development", the entire world admires him as an "exponent of global peace". Modi has always played a role of "troubleshooter" in times of crisis. The entire world has recognized this, first during the Corona pandemic and now during the Ukraine crisis.

The Union Minister said that the landslide victory of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and other States reflects the people's unwavering trust in Prime Minister Modi's commitment to inclusive empowerment of all. Modi has demolished conventional politics of casteism and communalism by commitment to development.

Naqvi said that the Northeastern region of the country, including Assam, which had been neglected for the decades, have been made "Priority Partner of Progress and Prosperity" by Prime Minister Modi. The thumping victory of the BJP in Manipur is testament to the BJP's policy of making all the States of the country an equal partner of mainstream development.

Naqvi said that the 'Act East Policy' of the Modi Government has ensured all-round development of the entire Northeastern region, including Assam. Modi had taken a resolve in 2014 to bring the Northeast region into the mainstream development process of the country. Modi's vision has been to accelerate the pace of economic development of the Northeastern region so that the entire region achieves growth parity with the rest of the country. Development works have been carried out at war-footing in the region during the last about eight years of the Modi Government.

Naqvi said that while Rs 36,108 crore had been allocated for development of the Northeastern region in 2014, the Modi Government has given Rs 76,040 crore in 2022 for development of the region. Unprecedented infrastructure development has been taken place in the region during the last about eight years. Rs 39,000 crore have been spent to expand rail infrastructure in the region. More than 13,700 km of National Highways have been constructed in the Northeastern region with an expenditure of around Rs 48,875 crore since 2014-15 by the Modi Government.

Naqvi said that various development projects worth Rs 85,631 crore are currently ongoing in the eight Northeastern States. Another Rs 80,000 crore worth projects are planned for the next two years. The Central Government allocated more than Rs 900 crore to North-eastern States in the fight against the Corona to ensure necessary health facilities.

Naqvi said that be it tourism, civil aviation, agriculture and horticulture, all these sectors have witnessed significant transformation. 'Aatmnirbhar Hastshilpkar Yojana' has provided market and opportunities to traditional legacy of art and craftsmanship of the Northeastern region.

Naqvi said that the 38th 'Hunar Haat' is being organized at the Veterinary College Ground at Khanapara here till March 20. More than 600 artisans and craftsmen, including a large number of women artisans, from more than 28 States/UTs are participating in 'Hunar Haat'. This is for the first time that 'Hunar Haat' has been organized in the North-east region.

A total of 300 stalls have been set up in 'Hunar Haat', where rare handmade indigenous products from every corner of the country and traditional food of various regions are available. Besides, 'Mera Garv Mera Desh', 'Vishwakarma Vatika',circus, cultural programmes of renowned artists of the country, selfie points etc are major attractions of the 'Hunar Haat' here.

Circus artists will perform every day at 'Hunar Haat'. Renowned artistes of the country, such as Suresh Wadkar, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Amit Kumar, Sudesh Bhosle, Zubeen Garg, Altaf Raja, Kalpana Patowary, Hamsika Iyer, Archana Sharma, Upasana Singh, Dikshu Sarma, Padmanav Bordoloi, Sunita Bhuyen, Rani Indrani, Bhumika Malik, Rekha Raj, Mohit Khanna, Priya Malik, Ritesh Mishra, Gunjan Saxena, Junior Mehmood and Neha Khan will perform various cultural and musical programmes in the evening every day in 'Hunar Haat'.

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