High level discussion on 'Act East Policy' at North East Festival
New Delhi, 17 October 2015:
North East Festival-Session on Look East Policy :: Pix courtesy - UB Photos
High level discussion on 'North East's strategic importance to India and Act East Policy' at North East Festival 2015
The second afternoon of the 3rd edition of the North East Festival, currently underway at IGNCA in the capital saw an engaging and lively discussion on the 'North East's strategic importance to India and Act East policy'.
The session featured high level panelists such as Mr. Ram Madhav, National General Secretary, BJP; Mr. Ravi Capoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India; Mr. AM Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Professor, University of Gauhati and Mr. Shyamkanu Mahanta, Organiser-in-chief, North East Festival. The session was moderated by well known journalist Kishalay Bhattacharjee.
As a topic, North East's strategic importance is of paramount significance to the development of the North East region, and saw active and enthusiastic participation from representatives of all the states of the region.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Shyamkanu Mahanta, Organiser-in-chief, North East Festival said, "There is a need to promote the North East and build bridges with the rest of the country. We also need to create a positive perception about the region, so that investors and businesses see the North East as a viable option."
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Professor, University of Gauhati said, "It is often said that since the North Eastern region is landlocked, development and commerce is a problem. I believe that North East can develop on its own. As a region, it historically had seamless connectivity with South East Asian and South Asian countries and that should be looked at once again. What is required is integration of road, rail and water transport and people to people connect. "
In his address, Mr. Ram Madhav, National General Secretary, BJP said, "The emotional disconnect between the people of North East and the rest of the country is our own creation. We as a government are committed to bridge this emotional disconnect. India's development is not complete without the development of North East. The Government of India is taking many steps for the development of the region and talking to Bangladesh and other SAARC nations as well to work in this regard. As part of our Look East Policy, we are looking to improving the physical connectivity and infrastructure in the region."
He added, "I believe that clean and efficient governance is also required for the development of the region. Our priority is on developing good relations with our neighbours, and the biggest beneficiary of that would be the North East Region."
Mr. Ravi Capoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India said, "During the pre-independence days, the North East was one of the most prosperous regions. There used to be free flow of trade, commerce and people between the countries, which was the main reason for this."
He added. "As per NASSCOM figures, about 20% of people working in the outsourcing industry are from the North Eastern states. If we can improve the internet and digital connectivity of the region, there is no reason why it can't become a major IT hub of the country, and that alone can contribute significantly to the development of the region."
Mr. AM Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India said, "We are trying to sort out all the issues related to trade and commerce in the region and it requires a coordinated effort from all the stakeholders. At DoNER, we are trying to provide a lot of opportunities to facilitate investments in the region. The most important thing is that we need to believe in the North East."
* This Press Relese was sent to e-pao.net by Ayonava Bagchi (Young Monk Communications) who can be contacted at ab(aT)youngmonk(doT)in
This Press Release was posted on October 19 2015
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