Imphal, August 15: Even as normal life was paralysed yesterday due to the general strike imposed by rebel organisations in the State, the Congress led SPF Government held functions across the State in every district to celebrate the Nation's 62nd Independence Day.

In connection with the day, Chief Minister O Ibobi hoisted the tri-colour at the ground of the 1st Manipur Rifles yesterday to kick off the official celebration of the day.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that during the last 62 years, India has made rapid progress in all fields and is today one of the stronger Nations in the world.

However there is still a lot to be done to be counted as one of the most developed countries in the world, the Chief Minister admitted.

To achieve this it is imperative that every citizen put in their best effort in their chosen field of profession.

As the Centre is aware that the States in the North East region are lagging behind the other States of the country, it has taken up a number of measures for the region to bring it at par with the rest, said the Chief Minister.

The Vision Document, 2020 is primarily aimed at making the North East region a peaceful region and to make it a developed place by the year 2020, said the Chief Minister and added that the Vision Document was prepared under the initiative of the North Eastern Council.

The Document was released by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on July 2. The Chief Minister further said that a special Ministry, DONER, has been formed to accelerate the pace of growth in the North East region.

With the SPF Government coming to power, the financial help of the State has improved tremendously, the Chief Minister claimed and added that the team from the Planning Commission which recently visited the State had expressed satisfaction over the pace of works taken up by the SPF Government.

The Plan size has also been increased appreciably, the Chief Minister informed the gathering and added that for the fiscal 2008-09, the Plan size has been fixed at Rs 1660 crores.

This will greatly help the State in taking up developmental works.

Talking of other projects in the pipeline, the Chief Minister said that plans are underway to expand and develop Tulihal airport and added that DONER is also trying to open a Dedicated Airline only for the North East.

The upgradation of the airport as well as the opening of the new air service will help to connect Imphal to Rangoon, Dhaka and Bangkok and promote trading activities.

The Union Urban Development Ministry has given the nod to the Imphal City Development Plan, said Ibobi further.

As part of the project, the Centre has agreed to the setting up of a Solid Waste Management unit.

Stating that Jawarharlal Nehru hospital would be upgraded to a 300 bedded hospital, the Chief Minister said that it would also be rechristened Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences after setting up a medical institute there.

The National Rural Health Mission has also been launched in the State, said the Chief.

The State Government is leaving no stones unturned to ensure quality education to the students, said the Chief Minister and added that some innovative ideas will be worked out.

Admitting that despite the advancements made in the last couple of years there are still many issues to be tackled, the Chief Minister called upon all to contribute their mite in taking the State forward.

On the law and order front, the Chief Minister said that the movement launched by the different armed outfits has posed a hurdle to development.

All issues can be settled only through negotiations, said the Chief Minister and appealed to the armed outfits to come to the negotiating table and solve the issue once and for all.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister gave the salute to the 24 contingent who staged a march past under the command of 2 IRB CO Koijam Radhashyam.

Our correspondents add: At Jiribam the Independence Day was celebrated with hoisting of the tricolour flag by ADC Y Iboyaima at ADC's office complex.

Outstanding students of the sub-division in 2008 examination of BSEM.

CHSEM and BA were felicitated at the occasion.

Dignitaries who attended the function included Commandant of 5 AR Col P Choudhury and CO of 133 Bn BSF RK Singh.

At Moreh, the celebration was held at ADC Office.

with Moreh ACD TH Chothe unfurling the tricolour flag.

Contingents of Moreh Police Station and Eastern Shine English School took part in a colourful march pass in the celebration which was attended by leaders of various communities, meira paibees and Government officials.

At Churachsndpur, more than 33 contingents with five traditional dance troopers participated in the colourful Independence Day that witnessed a huge turn-out despite incessant downpour.

The celebration started off with Deputy Commissioner of the district Sumant Singh unfurling the tri-colour flag.

SDPO CCpur K Kabib, IPS, commands the contingents during parade.

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