Vision 2020: PM stresses on development for NE

Releasing the Vision 2020 document for the North East Region on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the region the 8220;land of the rising sun for India...

Releasing the Vision 2020 document for the North East Region NER on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the region the 8220;land of the rising sun for India8221; and added that time had come for the sun to shine on it and shine brightly.

The Prime Minister further said that the 8220;vision is not merely a static statement but is embedded in the hearts, minds and actions of the people and their leaders8221; and that the time had come when the 8220;Union and State Governments of the region should stand shoulder to shoulder to pledge themselves to the rapid realisation of the ambitious but realistic goals of the Vision 2020 for the North Eastern Region. I pledge that the Government of India will work with the people of the North East to convert this region into a living shining reality.8221;

8220;Let development now be the leitmotif of the North Eastern region. For too long has violence been the dominant recurrent theme of discourse on the North East. It shall, and it must now, be development and inclusive development. I appeal to all the patriotic people of this region to work together to create an environment of peace and security in which we can work together to improve the quality of life of all people. Violence has no place in our society and our culture,8221; said the PM. He then underlined the concept of unity in diversity saying all differences could be resolved amicably through discussion and dialogue. 8220;I have often said that there is no grievance that cannot be addressed through a ballot box and no grievance that can be redressed through a barrel of a gun,8221; he said.

The PM also said that the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region DoNER was a 8220;symbol of our nation8217;s commitment to the North Eastern States.8221; 8220;It was specially created to act as an emissary, as a facilitator and as a spokesman of the North Eastern States to ensure that their development process is accelerated through the Government of India. No other region of the country has been given such a special and privileged place at the national level,8221; the PM said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of DoNER Mani Shankar Aiyar said this document was a people8217;s plan. He said that during the preparation of this document, questionnaires were sent to 50,000 people of which 35,000 responded and the Vision document was formulated on the basis of their responses. He also said that the North East has an enormous potential for growth and if emphasis is laid on the growth of North East, the growth rate of the country as a whole can go up to double digit from the present 9 per cent.