CM opens 8th edition of Young Leaders Connect
Potentials of NE States stressed
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 07 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed to the people of North East States to think of "what we, as citizens, have contributed to our country, rather than thinking of what the country or the Central Government had given us.

Such a change in the way of thinking will increase our contribution to the country's development" .

The Chief Minister was attending the inaugural session of the Young Leaders Connect - 8 held today at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound under the theme "North East India 2030: Towards India's Innovative and Sustainable Growth" as the chief patron.

Welcoming all participants visiting Imphal for the Young Leaders Connect, N Biren continued that North East Leaders Connect (NELC) over the decade had paved the path as a facilitator for growth and development in the North East Region.

CM opens 8th edition of Young Leaders Connect

The platform provided by the NELC will continue to facilitate in designing reforms and deepening strategic ties to unlock the full potential of the region, he added.

Expressing confidence that this year's edition will offer better insights to the trends and challenges in the North East region, he stressed that a fuller understanding of the realities would help reshape a shared vision for the region's progress.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the North East region which is strategically located as the land gateway of India to South East Asia is blessed with abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage, skilled human resources, colourful tribes and tourist attractions.

Stating that the region has the potential to be another growth engine for the country in the 21st century, he spoke on the need to meaningfully realize the region's inherent potentials in different fields.

For this to translate into reality, young leaders of the region need to collectively forge a vision and lead a coordinated response, he added.

Biren further maintained that the Government of Manipur is committed towards inclusive and sustainable development and is continuing its efforts to harness the dynamism of youths.

He continued that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken epochal strides toward promoting start-ups, ushering in an environment for start-ups never witnessed before.

In the North East too, the emergence of many talents has empowered locals while continuously pushing the wheel of innovation to newer destinations, he said.

The Chief Minister informed that Manipur Start-Up has transformed the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The State Government has extended various support and assistance to a total of 5,796 entrepreneurs for a total project cost of Rs 110 crore, to provide ample room for growth of entrepreneurship.

Acknowledging that Information Technology is one of the core strengths, he also informed that the first building of Manipur IT-SEZ will be ready soon and is expected to create employment opportunities for about 1,500-2,000 people.

With improved connectivity and improved law and order situation in the State, tourism and hospitality sector is also picking up, generating gainful employment opportunities, the Chief Minister said.

Highlighting that the share of exports from the North East region is abysmally low when compared to total exports from India, he exuded confidence that such conclave would facilitate in streamlining bottlenecks leading to exponential rise in export volume in the coming years.

Speaking at the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is also a governing member of NELC, expressed gratitude for making him a part of the Young Leaders Connect - 8 .

He stated that the time has come for the North East region to play an important role in the country's resolve to achieve the 5 trillion dollar economy.

He also mentioned that the region's rich natural resources and fragile ecology must not be compromised while pursuing development.

Stressing that the North East States has 8 percent of the country's geographical area with 4 percent of its total population, he mentioned that the region contributes only a small share in the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP), India's total food grain production, domestic and foreign tourists and also India's total export.

He stressed the need to discuss how to increase the region's contribution to the National GDP, which sector to be focused on, measures to increase the food grain production, attract more tourists, and industries to be prioritized.

He mentioned that various development works had been taken up in the North East region under the initiative of the Prime Minister.

Certain measures for resolving issues regarding insurgency, drugs, inter-State boundary disputes etc had been taken up in mission mode, apart from building infrastructure for conducive business environments, he added.

Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and NELC governing council member Gaurav Gogoi stated that North East States have a promising future with its potential youths, talents, culture and diversity apart from violence and insurgency which are things of the past.

He expressed the need to tell others about both the glorious past and the promising future.

He informed that the NELC was born out of common love and passion for North East which would continue to grow and create friends not only among the North East States but also with the rest of India.

For the North East, economy means its people and as such, the potentials of the people should be harnessed to achieve growth and development, Gaurav Gogoi said.

N Biren and Pema Khandu launched the project NEW (North East-region Entrepreneurs' World).

Short videos on Star Education Manipur and theme song of Young Leaders Connect were also shown.

Cabinet Ministers of Manipur, MLAs, members of NELC governing council, Chief Secretary, senior officials of the State Government, entrepreneurs and many potential youths also attended the programme, among others.

The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on "Unlocking the Economic Roadmap for North East India", "What will be the Key Sectors that will drive Inclusive & Sustainable Growth in North East India" and conversation with young leaders of North East India.