Celebrating NE’s rich cultural heritage through Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, 2024

Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia

(The writer is Minister of DoNER and

Communications, Government of India)

In the Old Tesen village of Nagaland, unlike any village, the evenings are not for relaxing. For the residents, the time is mostly utilised to check their farm produce, restock their inventory, and refresh their phones to check for the next online orders for their world-famous Naga King Chillies (also known as Raja Mircha). A village once disconnected from the outer world and unknown to outstation markets is today selling its Raja Mirchas to more than 250+ international and national buyers digitally. With a smartphone in their hands, the villagers today auction their products, sell them at the most competitive price, and ignite community spirits by keeping their tradition of uniting agriculture, culture, and heritage.

This tale of transformation is not only restricted to the Old Tesen village but can be seen, felt, and observed in every corner of the northeastern region of India. For a region that was once languished in obscurity and crippled by the inability of previous regimes, today it is the key enabler to the nation’s vision for building a Viksit Bharat. At its core is a comprehensive development and social unity approach, headed by our visionary Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, who has challenged the status quo and taken the uncharted route to make the Northeast the ‘Growth Engine of India.’ Unlike most Indian prime ministers before him, Shri Modi understood the Northeast’s foundation and its core and took a holistic approach to tackle the challenges of the region.

He addressed them on two crucial fronts: one, a commitment to maximize investment and implement high-impact capital projects, thus ensuring economic proliferation, and second, building the cultural power of the region. The ‘Look East’ Policy was modified to ‘Act East’ and is now changed to ‘Act East, Act Fast, and Act First,’ thus opening new avenues for trade, collaboration, and connectivity. In 2014-15, the budgetary allocation of the central government to the region was Rs. 27,359 crore, which has now increased by more than 275% to Rs. 1,02,749 crore. The number of airports has nearly doubled in the region from 9 to 17, with 2 new airports getting international connectivity. The average annual rail budget allocation has increased by 384% to Rs. 9,970 crore, and the rail network has increased by 1,909 kilometres. Similarly, 46,496 kilometres of rural roads have been completed, and the region today has 16,125 kilometres of national highways, 147% more than what it had before 2014. This premise of physical connectivity is being supported by a digital one—ensuring that 4G connectivity reaches 4,525 villages of the region and about 5,600 are being covered under the Digital Bharat Nidhi with a budget of Rs. 3,715 crore. This surge in connectivity creates a web on the map of the region, ensuring that the map not only represents cities but also underserved and unserved regions, boosts local economies, and corroborates Northeast as a window to the Southeast Asian region. It is evident that since 2014, a major impetus was given to further strengthen this relationship between the Indian Northeast and Southeast Asia. To realise this potential, work is resolutely underway on projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT Highway) and the Agartala-Akhaura rail project. Once complete, these would be complete game changers for the region.

While the region is seeing success stories mushrooming every day, it is also encountering the formation of a strong cultural identity that is powering India’s soft power. Our cultural diplomacy is soon going to become a jewel in the crown of Viksit Bharat. Northeast’s unique culture and art are taking the global stage. Recently, in a cabinet decision to protect and promote our languages, Assamese was recognised as a classical language, and Moidams—the mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty—also got inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 43rd entry. The 2024 Padma Awards were illuminated with Northeast’s cultural brilliance with a record 11 trailblazers getting awarded.

The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region is similarly driven by the idea of ‘bibidhota mein ekata’ and through a ‘whole of government’ approach. Today, we not only plan and implement ‘projects’ but also transform and empower the lives of 4.7 crore Bhartiyas living in the region. Our North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has successfully obtained the prestigious Oeko-Tex certification for its Eri Silk, directly from Germany on the nation’s 78th Independence Day. The platform (North East Region Agri Commodity E-Connect (NERACE)), which has empowered the residents of the Old Tesen village, is now available to every farmer of the region. Out of the 3,579 sanctioned projects, we have completed 2,438, thus showcasing a success rate of more than 68%. We have constituted five task forces for strategic planning and implementation of reformatory projects.

It is under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and by joining hands with the eight states, we are working towards strengthening their social, economic, and cultural uplift. Our work is no longer limited to infrastructure projects but goes above and beyond to unlock the entrepreneurial energies of our Amrit Peedhi, connect women with new opportunities, and ensure the overall development of the region. It is with this resolve that we are delighted to host the maiden edition of Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav—a celebration of Northeast’s vibrant textile sector, tourism opportunities, and traditional craftsmanship. This three-day festival embraces the region’s cultural diversity and heritage with 8 state pavilions and a North East Haat that will house 320 stalls for local artisans and give a platform to more than 500 artisans to showcase their talent. As the region rises to become the biggest reservoir of India’s growth, this festival believes in creating a seamless cohesion of people from the NER across the country and curating cultural properties that celebrate the rich legacy of these states. PM Modi believes that the dawn of development will rise from the East, from Eastern India, and this festival aims to power his belief. As we begin the festival today in the esteemed presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the Bharat Mandapam, I urge all of you to come and be part of this celebration. As Northeast rises to become the biggest reservoir of India’s growth, let’s traverse it with optimism and determination to build a Viksit Uttar Purv.