Devise new economic model for development: DCM

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, Feb 3: In a clarion call to the state lawmakers, Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein on Thursday asked them to devise a new model of economic development for the state based on Gandhian ideology.

Iugurating the two-day orientation programme for MLAs on the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi at Nokmey Nimati Hall of the state Legislative Assembly Secretariat here, Mein while speaking on the Gandhian philosophy and its relevance in policy making and development, said that the idea and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi still fits into the modern India. He lauded the Speaker for such an initiative, an official report informed here. “We should therefore design policy initiatives which take care of the welfare of the poorest members of the society, fulfill their basic wants and gives them a dignified and respectable living,” he pointed out.

The deputy chief minister said the basis of Gandhi’s economic philosophy was individual dignity and the welfare of the poorest of the poor as Gandhi was of the view that a man earns his dignity by working and earning his bread and livelihood. “Therefore, the economic system should be organised to provide employment for everyone to achieve the vision of self-reliable and sustaible development as envisaged by the Father of tion,” Mein said. He called upon the legislators to prepare policy that would give massive support to agriculture on which majority of the people of the state and more than half the population of the country depends for their livelihood.

The DCM also said that the state policy also need to support micro and small-scale industries through investment in R&D and upgradation of the capability of people working there, in terms of education, knowledge and skill with provision of credit and other facilities. Education Minister Honchun Ngandam in his deliberation said that people of the state have been maintaining the principle of Gandhi as they are mostly peace loving and self-reliable.  He said that the people also maintains swachhta (cleanliness) and actively participate in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan programme and also implement the Village Governce (Gram-Swaraj) in the form of Panchayati Raj Institution in the state effectively. He, however, called to inculcate the ideals and principles of Gandhi in their day to day life.  

Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok in his introductory speech expressed hope that the orientation programme would pave the way for the lawmakers to learn the life of Mahatma and would bring a quantum leap in their legislative qualities and also help find solution to some of the problem faced by them. He called for a serious and an institutiolized effort by the legislators to emulate Mahatma’s life and philosophy for a kind of moral resurrection to take place. He appealed to frequently remind them of the relevance of Gandhi’s ideals and to live like a Mahatma so that his life and philosophy are made immortal, the report said.

Padmashree twar Thakkar, Senior Gandhian and Founder-Maging Trustee, galand Gandhi Ashram delivered speech on constructive work and volunteerism of Mahatma Gandhi while Laxmi Das, Vice President, Harijan Sevak Sangh spoke on Gandhian Principles and Good Governce. The programme was jointly organized by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti New Delhi and the Aruchal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the report added.