Union minister of state for Tourism & Culture (I/c) and Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, on Thursday asserted that North East states especially Nagaland has ample potential particularly in the tourism sector.
Speaking at the exhibition cum cultural programme “New India” at the Sculpture Garden, NEZCC Complex Dimapur on September 14, 2017, the union minister said that the future belonged to Nagaland if tourism was promoted.
According to an official bulletin, the programme organised by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in association with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) was graced by Governor, PB Acharya, who is also the chairman of NEZCC, as chief guest.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma also informed that Zonal Convention centre was under construction at NEZCC Complex at the cost of Rs. 22 crore. Once centre was completed, Dr. Sharma said it would showcase the rich culture and traditions of Nagaland to greater heights.
Conveying greetings on behalf of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the union minister said, “The Prime Minister has directed all the ministers to go to the NE states stay overnight, understand their problems, suggestions and give him feedback.”
Dr. Sharma disclosed that he would also be meeting with Nagaland chief minister, TR Zeliang, Friday morning to take his views and suggestions and would convey to the Prime Minister.
While lauding the governor, PB Acharya, the union minister described him as the custodian of culture and traditions. Encouraging the youth to go hand in hand in building New India, Dr. Sharma said, “We will make New India by 2022”.
On the occasion, Acharya administered the “New India pledge” to the gathering.
Parliamentary secretary art & culture, Eshak Konyak, who also spoke on the occasion, said Nagaland was known to the outside world due to its rich and diverse cultural traditions and not because of technology or infrastructure.
He affirmed that the state department of Art and Culture works for promotion, protection and sustainable development of Art and culture.
Earlier, the governor along with the union minister inaugurated the exhibition of “Quit India Movement” by lighting the lamp.
The programme on “Sankalp Se Siddhi” followed with presentation of cultural programme from states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Assam.