Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya on Sunday highlighted the achievements of the government and said that Central government has upheld the vision of a transformed India.
“Our standing in the world has risen. Since the time of Modiji taking office as Prime Minister, he has focused on reforming and modernizing India’s infrastructure and improving national standards of health and sanitation, social security, financial inclusion by National Programmes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Prime Minister’s Jeevan Bhima Yojana, Jeevan Sureksha Yojana and also Jan DhanYojana,” Acharya said in his speech, greeting the people on the eve of the country’s 70th Independence Day.
“Let us salute the great nation, Bharat on her 70th Independence. This is a day of dedication and hallowed remembrance for us, we celebrate our freedom”, he said.
While paying homage and tribute to those self-sacrificing and devoted leaders and patriots, Acharya said “many generations of our countrymen waged a powerful struggle for Independence and gave their lives for the country and became martyrs”.
Highlighting the achievements of the government, Acharya said schemes such as Kisan Credit Cards, Kisan Insurance, Soil Health Card, etc. were introduced to empower farmers.
He said union minister for Roads and Transport, Nitin Gadkari had also earmarked Rs. 5,000 crore for improving roads and bridges for the North East, the life line of the country.
He said for the first time in the history of Nagaland, the new broad gauge railway line between Dimapur–Kohima (Zubza), the foundation stone laid by union minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu, would be completed by 2019. “This is a great and significant initiative under our Prime Minister,” he added.
He further said that the Indian National Fellowship Centre (INFC), an Mumbai based NGO, School Education department, in collaboration with Rotary Club Bombay (North), have worked out a project to start E-learning in 28 selected Government Higher Secondary Schools in Nagaland. Stating that it was the first of its kind in the North East Region, Acharya said this would enhance the quality of learning at government schools.
He said several initiatives to strengthen emotional integration had been worked out like organizing medical camps, teachers exchange programme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and health services rendered to Nagas living in the border areas of Myanmar.
With the population having 65% youths, he said if the universities and educational institutions add skill in the academic contents, the youth would be employable and develop human resource for the world. “Our youths coming out of Universities should be job givers and not job seekers”, he asserted.
Citing the example of Nagaland, Acharya said it was a pride for a small state to have four Universities– Nagaland University, ICFAI University, Global Open University of Nagaland and St. Joseph Catholic University of Nagaland. “Empowerment of prospective young men and women by education is important. The first and foremost factor of development of society is education,” he said.
He said that the scouts & guides have also been strengthening the society by bringing discipline in life and rendering service to the needy.
Acharya further noted that the ex-servicemen of Nagaland have also equally contributed to the freedom of India. “We are proud of our ex-servicemen. We should also respect and take care of the Veer Naris of the State,” he said.
He also mentioned that the Nagaland Red Cross Society had been rendering humanitarian services to the society at the hour of need or disaster.
The governor further welcomed the 33% women reservation, announced by the state government, for women in the Urban Local Bodies. This he said would empower the women.
Pointing out that the peculiarity of India was ‘unity in diversity’, Acharya said: “We Nagas have a well knit social organisation which is an excellent example of unity in diversity.”
“Alog bhasha, alog vesh, phir bhi apna ek desh,” he added.
“A grand synthesis of cultures, religions and language of the people belonging to different castes and communities has upheld its unity and cohesiveness,” he said.
Nagaland with its own unique culture society and traditions was one of the most diverse regions in the North East, which he said, boasts of unparalleled cultural practices, respect for different faiths, tribal life, gender equality, art forms, family values and fierce independence.
“Our minority indigenous religious people, ‘Ancestors Religion’, are also equal in a secular state and should also get all the benefits of Independent India,” he asserted.
He said it was “high time to make the world know that Nagaland and whole of North East have freedom fighters, scholars, well known doctors, literary people, social workers, etc.”
“We are all equal. We all have participated and contributed equally in the freedom fight,” he said.
On Naga issue, he said the ongoing talks for permanent peace are yielding positive results. “The talks have become more purposeful, less ritualistic, more forthright and far more frequent. This will bring a new prospect and happy era for all the Nagas,” the governor said.
In his concluding remarks, Acharya appealed to all “…to rededicate ourselves for the prosperous, strong and peaceful India. Remember that we are a democratic state and secular country. We respect diversity.”