Manipuris need to cultivate strong work culture: Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, October 07 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed to the people of the north-eastern 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 change in the concept of thinking will increase our contribution to the country's development, he added.

The chief minister was attending the inaugural session of the Young Leaders Connect - 8 held under the theme of "Northeast India 2030: Towards India's Innovative and Sustainable Growth", as chief patron of the Young Leaders Connect 2022, at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, here, on Friday.

Welcoming all the participants, CM Biren continued that North-East Leaders Connect (NELC) over the decade has paved the path as a facilitator for growth and development in the North-East Region (NER).

The platform provided by NELC will continue to facilitate in designing reforms and strengthening 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 NER, Biren stressed that a richer understanding of the realities would help reshape a shared vision for the region s progress.

He then mentioned that NER, 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, Biren spoke about 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.

The CM further said that the Government of Manipur is committed towards inclusive and sustainable development and is continuing its efforts to harness the dynamism of youth.

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

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

He then 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 an entrepreneurship.

Acknowledging that Information Technology is one of the core strengths, Biren 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.

The people of Manipur need to cultivate a strong work culture like working late into the night, as done in other states, he said.

The CM also mentioned that with improved connectivity infrastructure in Manipur and improved law and order situation in the state, tourism and hospitality sector is picking up and generating gainful employment opportunities.

The 120 feet statue of Polo, which is being constructed after consultation with historians and experts, is nearing completion and will be ready for visit by tourists during the upcoming Sangai Festival, he conveyed.

Noting that the share of exports from the NER is abysmally low when compared to total exports from India, CM Biren was hopeful that such conclave would facilitate in streamlining bottlenecks leading to exponential rise in export numbers in the coming years.

This would also be a stepping stone towards strengthening partnerships and forging sustainable collaborations in the region, he stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, who is also a governing member of NELC, expressed gratitude on being a part of the Young Leaders Connect-8 .

Elucidating on the theme of this year's Connect, he stated that the time has come for the NER to play an important role in our 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 by various growth paths taken up.

Stressing that the northeast states have 8 per cent of the country's geographical area with $ per cent of its total population, he remarked that the region contributes only 3 per cent to National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a small share to India's total food grain production.

Around 0.5 per cent of domestic tourists and 0.8 per cent of foreign tourists visit the region, while total export amounts to only 0.2 per cent.

Thus, he stressed the need to discuss how to increase our contribution to the National GDP, which sector to focus on, measures to increase the food grain production, to attract more tourists, and industries to be prioritised.

Pema then mentioned that various development works that have been taken in the NER under the initiative of the Prime Minister.

Certain measures for resolving issues regarding insurgency, drugs, interstate boundary disputes have been taken up in mission mode, apart from building infrastructures for conducive business environments, he added.

Continuing that our human resources quality would be the next key asset, he said that we should sincerely endeavour to nurture it.

In his speech, Lok Sabha MP and NELC Governing Council member Gaurav Gogoi said that northeast states have a promising future with its potential youth, talents, culture and diversity apart from violence and insurgency which are now things of the past.

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

He went on to say that the NELC has been born out of common love and passion for northeast which would continue to grow and create friends not only among the northeast, but also with the rest of India.

For the Northeast, economy means its people and as such, the potentials of our people should be harnessed to achieve growth and development, he added.

During the programme, chief ministers N Biren Singh and Pema Khandu launched the Northeast-region Entrepreneurs' World (NEW) project.

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

NER Guwahati Commissioner of Income Tax GG Kamei (IRS), Nagaland Legislative Assembly MLA M Kikon, cabinet ministers of Manipur and MLAs, NELC Governing Council members, Manipur 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 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, followed by presentation of the North East Young Heroes Award-2022.It may be mentioned that the 8th edition of the Young Leaders Connect will seek to converge and design reforms and strategic ties that will reshape the economies of the Northeast region.

The conclave will connect economies, culture and companies, and explore ways to help business and people to excel, align with what the communities are currently building and connect with their aspirations.

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