PM Modi Highlights Neglect of Northeast in Past, Emphasizes Region’s Role in India’s Growth

GUWAHATI: Attacking successive governments on Friday, PM Modi said that earlier governments didn't pay attention to India's northeast region, which "belonged" to themselves because of a smaller number of people and less strength in the Lok Sabha through these parliamentary seats.

At Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in New Delhi for its inaugural day, Mr Narendra Modi celebrated the vibrancy in his northeastern states, and claimed their growing importance in moving the nation forward.

Modi pointed out that past administration failed to focus on the northeast, equating development efforts to electoral gains. "Northeastern states had fewer votes and lower seat counts, so previous governments did not pay attention to their development," he remarked.

The prime minister lauded former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership for initiating a dedicated ministry for the northeast and mandating that every ministry allocate 20% of its budget for the region's development. This, Modi said, laid the groundwork for a new approach to addressing the northeast's needs.

Highlighting the achievements of the last ten years, Modi called the northeast's progress "a wonderful journey." He gave credit to his government's work in integrating the region into India's larger growth narrative, taking significant steps in bridging historical gaps.

Our government worked on removing the psychological distance that existed between Delhi and the 'Dil' or heart of the northeast," he said, adding that union ministers made over 700 visits to the region in a time when they attempted to understand better and deliver solutions to these issues,".

Modi expressed optimism about the northeast's potential to drive India’s growth, envisioning cities like Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Itanagar, and Aizawl becoming key centers of development, akin to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. He stressed that the region's rich culture and dynamic population make it a powerhouse for economic and ecological progress.

The prime minister launched Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, the festival that aims to bring in front of the world the diversified promises of the eight Northeast states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim.

These have been held from December 6 to 8 at Bharat Mandapam, during which the event brings together what is called the 'Ashtalakshmi,' the eight forms of prosperity, in the region that give it a unique nature.

Modi said his government has, through emotion-economy-ecology initiatives, sought to lift up the region and unlock its full potential. He again reaffirmed that eastern India would play a significant role in shaping the future of the country as northeast continues its transformation journey.

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