NE witnessing connectivity development: Radhakrishnan

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday said the Northeast has been witnessing connectivity development over the past decade, boosting economic activities in the region.
Addressing the convocation of Tripura Central University at Suryamaninagar in West Tripura, he said that in the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has relentlessly tapped the potential of the Northeast. “I hail from Chennai, and it was difficult to travel from Chennai to Agartala on the same day. Now, with better infrastructure in place, many long-distance trains connect Agartala. Today, we can travel from Kohima to Agartala on the same day, which is a symbol of a more connected India,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said, “In the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has relentlessly tapped the potential of the Northeast. The economy is also circulating at a faster pace in the Northeast.” The Vice President also exhorted the university authorities to continue producing high-quality research papers for innovation.
“The Tripura Central University has emerged as a vibrant centre of teaching, research and innovation. It has been making steady progress in high-quality research work. This should be continued with innovation, and the number of intellectual properties should increase. Participating in the national research platform is the signal of arrival on the national academic landscape,” he said.
Emphasising proper time management to achieve success, he said, individuals meet several failures before becoming successful.
Highlighting the transformative role of technology, Radhakrishnan urged students to use it positively and responsibly, stating that “progress with purpose” is essential for the advancement of society and humanity.
Quoting the renowned Tamil poet Subramania Bharathiyar, he said that every citizen of India is a guardian of the nation and that collective effort and unity will propel the country towards greater achievements.
He exhorted the students to double their efforts instead of being disheartened by failure to achieve success; success will be at their doorstep.
Governor N Indrasena Reddy, Chief Minister Manik Saha and Vice Chancellor Shyamal Kumar Das also addressed the event.
Radhakrishnan said the foundation stone for the Matabari tourist circuit was laid in January 2026 at Udaipur in Gomati district to boost tourism.
“I was told by the Collector of Gomati that the tourist footfall has increased from 3.5 lakh to 8.50 lakh (annually) at Maa Tripurasundari temple. It will surely add local employment. A stagnant economy will never grow until we push it for circulation,” he said.
Radhakrishnan also mentioned the state’s move to launch the State Innovation Mission (SIM) under the Atal Innovation Mission for the first time by any state government.
“I thanked Chief Minister Manik Saha and his team for launching the State Innovation Mission (SIM) under the Atal Innovation Mission. It is a significant step towards embedding innovation and entrepreneurship for a long-term development framework,” he said.
Speaking at the interaction programme with the lakhpati didis at Badharghat international fair ground, he said the government has been playing an important role in implementing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the country ahead by ensuring equal opportunities for every citizen.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Vice President expressed gratitude to the lakhpati didis and wished that they would become crorepati didis in the future. He also said that under the leadership of Chief Minister (Manik Saha), women in the state will move further towards self-empowerment.
Before leaving the state, Radhakrishnan also paid tribute to martyrs at the Elbert Ekka war memorial at Lichubagan in West Tripura district.