Development of Arunachal Pradesh by exploring its untapped potential was the core of Shri Narendra Modi’s address at the ‘Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan’ rally at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, on the morning of 22nd February.
Shri Modi spoke of the tremendous yet untapped potential of this region by stating that it was home to abundant natural resources in the form of water resources and horticulture. “This land is a paradise for botanists,” said Shri Modi. He called for the need to focus on water resource management, and also put forth the unexplored tourism potential of the state, by saying, “Look at the tourism potential here! This land is no less than a Switzerland. Buddhist Tourism also has a lot of potential here. It is a legacy of so many years. We can bring tourists from all over to this land,” said Shri Modi.
Shri Modi also emphasized on tapping the solar and wind energy potential of the state, and stated that the State’s advantage of being a treasure trove of the 3 Hs – Herbal, Horticulture and Handicrafts – could ensure lot of opportunities to the people of this land.
Citing about the lack of development in the Northeast region, Shri Modi spoke of how the youth in this part were unhappy since they had to leave their state and go to other places to seek good education and better job prospects. He further added that infrastructure development in the region was tardy as constructing a bridge took decades here.
Shri Modi expressed grief at the recent killing of the student Nido Taniam from Arunachal in Delhi, and said that he prayed for the family of Nido. “I pray to the Almighty to bless Nido's family. The blood in your veins is the same blood that flows in my veins,” said Shri Modi.
Stating that the thinking of the nation is changing, Shri Modi said that only the thought of progress will work now, and that the land and its people will not tolerate any acts of violence and aggression. “Yug badal chuka hai...vistarwadi mansikta sweekar nahi hogi. Cheen ko bhi yeh mansikta tyag deni hogi. Vikas ki mansikta chalegi. No power in this world can snatch away our territory,” said Shri Modi.
Shri Modi affirmed of his strong belief in development and stated that the vices of dynasty, nepotism and casteism are not going to help the nation. He recalled the contribution of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the NDA government towards the development of the Northeast region and said, “Solutions to all your problems is development. BJP has embraced this path and is moving ahead on this path. I come to you with the same resolve and the promise to carry forward the good work that Atal ji & NDA government started.”
Expressing deep concern over the Central government’s lack of vision, Shri Modi said, “Please see what your own CM said about the Centre in a CM's meet in 2012! You see the anger. Can we trust this Govt in Delhi? What kind of a Government is it that does not listen to their own CM? Do you expect them to listen to you? You need a government in Delhi that is sensitive to the problems in every part of this state and a government that listens to you.”
Urging the people of Arunachal to show their support for the BJP in the 2014 elections, Shri Modi said that the BJP would shine in all the 8 states of Northeast India. “The Lotus will shine in all the 8 states! There will be prosperity and progress in the region. Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki mai desh nahi mitne doonga, mai desh nahi tootne doonga, mai desh nahi jhukne doonga. Jai Hind,” said Shri Modi.
Calling Pasighat as the gateway of Arunachal and acknowledging it as the land of the brave, Shri Modi said, “If it was not for the patriotism of Arunachal Pradesh what would happen. People here are standing firm against China. People of this land did not come under pressure from China. The clarion call of 'Jai Hind' reverberates in this land.”
Appreciating the untapped natural beauty in Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Modi attributed the state as the ‘orchard of India’ and said that Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh shared close relations. He added that the land of Arunachal was blessed to have the first rays of the sun fall here, and that the final rays of setting of the sun in Gujarat conveyed that they will rise again tomorrow in Arunachal. “The 1st rays of the sun bless this land. Arunachal Pradesh rises first then the rest of India rises,” said Shri Modi.
