Improving communication between Northeast and rest of India emphasized

From our Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, Jan 11: “Planned effort and political will are needed to make India’s Act East policy beneficial for the north-eastern States,” said former Indian Ambassador, Dr Jamini Bhagawati while speaking as one of the resource person at the 2nd Policy Group for Policy  Rights (PGPR) ADDA, an interactive discussion programme on India’s Act East Policy and its impact on Assam in general and Dibrugarh in particular, organized by PGPR , a leading NGO of Upper Assam on Sunday.

Dr Jamini Bhagawati stressed the need for developing intra-connection between the Northeast and the rest of India before connecting with the eastern neighbours. Dr Bhagawati added that even within Assam the poor infrastructural facilities of transport and communication in general and neglect of waterway in particular had resulted in poor connectivity within the State.  The former Indian Ambassador pointed out that the government should focus on the welfare and development of Assam and the other north-eastern States and not merely focus on trade with the neighbouring countries if India’s Act East Policy was to be relevant.

 Former Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Bhaskar Mitra, who graced the occasion, in his deliberation, spoke of the grim political and economic situation in the Northeast and the lack of development even after receiving funds. Referring  spectacular rise of per capita income in Chi’s Yun province which was one of the most underdeveloped parts of Chi,  Mitra suggested that the Indian Government could do the same for the north-eastern States by adopting a policy of massive government investments in infrastructure, environment, human capital, people’s welfare and industries.

Former MP and former president of Axam Xahitya Xabha, Dr gen Saikia, spoke of the need for civil society to take active interest in this matter.

Earlier, Dr Aradha Kataki, president of PGPR, in her opening remarks stated that the ADDA was part of the group’s efforts to energize the civil society to be more proactively be involved in the developmental process. Dr Kunjalata Deori, vice-president of Policy Group for People’s Rights informed the gathering that Policy Group For People’s Rights had been formed as a think tank with the esteemed panelists to discuss, deliberate and make suggestions relating to the development of Dibrugarh in particular and the Northeast in general in the context of India’s Act East Policy.