Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Thursday celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday at Niathu Resort, with chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio calling for a united effort to build a “Viksit Bharat”.
Addressing the gathering, Rio extended birthday greetings to Modi on behalf of the Nagaland government, political parties of the ruling alliance and the people of the State, and prayed for his good health, wisdom, strength and long life.
Rio said India was fortunate to have, at an important stage of its national journey, a leader whose public life had been devoted to national service. He said Modi’s tenure had coincided with significant changes in India’s developmental trajectory and its engagement with the international community.
Referring to India’s growing global role, Rio highlighted developments in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and space exploration. He also referred to India’s G20 presidency and its BRICS chairmanship in 2026 as reflecting the country’s continued engagement with developing nations.
Recalling his longstanding association with Modi, dating back to their respective tenures as chief ministers, Rio said he had regularly met Modi at forums including meetings of the National Development Council and Planning Commission, where chief ministers discussed development challenges and exchanged experiences.
Rio also recalled travelling with Modi to Israel as part of a delegation led by then Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar to study advances in agriculture and related technologies.
He further recalled the period surrounding the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015, saying Modi had personally reached out to him, thanked him and sought his support towards achieving lasting peace in Nagaland.
According to Rio, Modi’s support continued when he returned to State politics in 2018, when the two launched the NDA campaign together at Tuensang. He also recalled Modi attending the swearing-in ceremony of the Nagaland government following the 2023 elections.
Rio said such interactions had shaped a relationship based on what he described as a “shared belief” that public life was ultimately about service and that leadership should be measured by what could be done for the people.
Rio also emphasised what he described as increased national attention to the Northeast under Modi.
He said the Prime Minister had repeatedly emphasised that India’s development could not be complete without the development of the region. According to Rio, this approach had brought the Northeast from the geographical periphery towards the centre of India’s developmental and strategic thinking.
He pointed to increased visits by Union ministers and senior officials to the region, along with programmes focused on infrastructure, connectivity and development.
Rio said emphasis on ensuring that intended beneficiaries actually received the benefits of government schemes was particularly important for Nagaland given its geographical and infrastructure-related challenges.
Looking ahead, Rio said Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” should be viewed as a national aspiration requiring the participation of every State, institution and citizen.
He also underscored the four pillars highlighted by the Prime Minister—youth, women, farmers and economically weaker sections—and said the vision had particular relevance for Nagaland as a young society.
“Our greatest strength is our people, their talent, creativity, energy and aspirations,” Rio said, stressing the need to create an ecosystem where young Nagas could compete nationally and internationally.
He said Nagaland should not remain a spectator to India’s transformation but become a participant and, wherever possible, a leader.
Rio said development in Nagaland should encompass better connectivity, quality education and healthcare, opportunities for youth, modern agriculture, tourism, the creative economy, investment and entrepreneurship, sports excellence and stronger institutions, along with lasting peace.
He stressed that the responsibility for achieving the national development vision could not rest solely with governments or political parties, but required what he described as “Sabka Prayas”, or collective effort.
Addressing the ruling alliance, Rio said the PDA government, comprising the NPF, BJP, NPP, JD(U), RPI(A) and LJP (Ram Vilas), must remain stable, united and focused on governance.
He said the alliance should ensure that its mandate was used to bring development to every district, tribe, village and section of society, while maintaining that diversity should remain a strength and unity an important asset.
Rio acknowledged that the State continued to face challenges relating to connectivity, unemployment, infrastructure and economic development.
He also reiterated the State’s aspiration for an “inclusive, honourable, acceptable and lasting” resolution to the Naga political issue, saying the State government would continue to work with the Government of India in a spirit of partnership, mutual respect and sincerity.
“Let us work harder. Let us serve with greater sincerity. Let us strengthen peace and unity. Let us create opportunities for the next generation,” Rio said, urging all to stand alongside the developed States of India as the country works towards its 2047 goal.
Short speeches were also delivered by legislators, including advisor Tovihoto Ayemi on behalf of the BJP; Jwenga Seb, MLA, on behalf of JD(U); Lima Onen Chang, MLA, on behalf of RPI(A); Naiba Konyak, MLA, on behalf of LJP (RV); Nyamnyei Konyak, MLA, on behalf of NPP; and Bangtick Phom, MLA, on behalf of the Independent.
NPF secretary general and advisor, SCERT and Food Processing Unit, Achumbemo Kikon, who chaired the programme, concluded the event by appealing to the Centre to uphold the spirit of “unity in diversity” for which India is known. He also stressed the importance of unity, tolerance and secularism.