Letters to the Editor: Advantage Assam 2.0

Advantage Assam 2.0

The Advantage Assam 2.0 - Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025 has marked a historic milestone in Assam’s economic transformation. This event didn’t just attract big businesses—it set the stage for a job revolution, promising to empower the state’s youth with skills, employment, and a brighter future. Here’s how Assam is turning dreams into reality. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the event aimed to position Assam as a premier investment destination and a gateway to Southeast Asia. Held at the Veterinary Field in Khanapara, Guwahati, the summit witnessed participation from top industrialists and secured investment commitments worth Rs 4.91 lakh crore, setting a new benchmark for industrial expansion in Northeast India. These funds will flow into sectors like AI, electronics, renewable energy, the film industry, logistics, and tourism, creating over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, benefiting youth and skilled professionals across multiple industries. The Assam government, in collaboration with industry leaders, plans to introduce skill development programmes, startup incubation initiatives, and financial assistance schemes to support entrepreneurship and employment.

The Advantage Assam 2.0 - Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 highlighted Assam’s strategic importance under India’s Act East Policy and focused on enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, and business-friendly policies. It attracted corporate giants such as Reliance Industries, Adani Group, and Tata Group, who pledged massive investments across various sectors. Mukesh Ambani announced a Rs 50,000 crore investment in nuclear energy, supply chain infrastructure, and hospitality, along with plans to establish an AI-ready centre in Assam. He remarked that AI would soon stand for "Assam Intelligence," reflecting the state’s growing potential in the technology sector. Gautam Adani committed Rs 50,000 crore towards airport development, cement manufacturing, and gas distribution, while Tata Group announced Rs 25,000 crore for electronics and mobile manufacturing.

To enhance digital accessibility, the government also launched the Advantage Assam 2.0 mobile app, offering real-time updates, networking opportunities, and seamless digital participation for investors and stakeholders. This technological initiative reflects Assam’s commitment to innovation and economic modernisation.

The Assam 2.0 summit has laid the foundation for sustainable development, positioning the state as a key driver of India’s economic growth in the East. With strong industrial policies, improved trade connectivity, and increased investor confidence, Assam is set to emerge as a major business destination, ensuring long-term economic prosperity and job creation for the region.

Hrishikesh Deka

Namkhola, Darrang

Statesmen have

become a rare species!

The statesman has become a rare breed in the contemporary Indian political landscape. Unfortunately, they are being supplanted by politicians whose priorities often lack the moral and ethical foundation that once defined true leadership. While statesmen are indeed politicians in the broader sense, they stand apart due to their commitment to long-term vision, national progress, and the well-being of the people, not merely their political survival.

Two exemplary figures of statesmanship in India’s history come to mind: Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was a visionary leader whose policies and actions laid the foundation for modern India. His focus was not just on governance but on the creation of a progressive nation that could stand on its own globally. Dr. Radhakrishnan, India’s second president, was deeply invested in building a society that valued education, philosophy, and cultural heritage. Beyond his scholarly contributions, he played an instrumental role in shaping India's foreign policy and strengthening its international relations.

In contrast, today’s politicians often prioritize short-term gains over long-term national goals. They are primarily focused on elections, maintaining political power, and securing immediate victories. Their decisions are typically driven by party loyalty, personal ambitions, or the pursuit of popularity, rather than the broader, more enduring needs of the nation. Transparency and accountability in their actions are often lacking. Instead of focusing on substantive policy reforms, many resort to delivering "jumlas" (empty promises) or distributing freebies in an attempt to win over voters who may not critically assess the long-term consequences. In this environment, the pursuit of power seems to have eclipsed the greater interest of the country, and the true essence of statesmanship is increasingly rare.

Prafulla Dowarah,

Guwahati

Drug-free Assam

Though Assam Police and the security agencies have achieved significant success in recovering narcotic substances in the past year or so, the hard reality is that the state, being the constant target of illicit drug trafficking gangs, and the recent recovery of huge illicit drugs speak volumes about the menace that has emerged as a disquieting concern among all. Illicit drugs like brown sugar and ganja have no medical use at all. When our teenagers use drugs when he or she is alone or depressed or the ones whose school attendance and/or grades have fallen, it suggests a more serious problem than its occurrence in a group context. Now, the question arises: what is the role of society in protecting the youth from the clutches of evil drug traffickers and peddlers? The editorial, 'Community role in making Assam drug-free, published in your esteemed daily on March 4, has rightly pointed out that merely ventilating grievances against the authorities through social media about drug trafficking cannot serve the purpose at all unless citizens voluntarily provide authentic information to the anti-drug squad directly about suspicious activities of doubtful persons in the locality. Police and NGOs need to hold frequent Nagarik Committee meetings in every nook and corner of the state, more especially in Guwahati, to build awareness among the people about it. When drug addiction is confirmed in growing children, parents should talk to friends or teachers instead of getting panicked or overreacting. There is a need to create a congenial environment for teenagers who undergo physical and biological changes, and they need a lot of love, affection, and an understanding attitude.

Parents ought to come down to their level to make them understand that the world of drugs is a world full of pain, anguish, and despair. To lead a contented and blissful life, we need to develop moral strength in them to say "no to drugs.". There is a need for a coordinated effort by all stakeholders to put their heads together to deal with the drug trafficking gangs who are spreading their network in the state. At the same time, the states having international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh should deploy specialised forces to deal with the problem of drug trafficking to make the state drug-free and have a robust and dynamic workforce.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.