Present in the program, Manipur Governor La. Ganesan ji, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh ji, Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet Bhupendra Yadav ji and Rajkumar Ranjan Singh ji, Ministers in Manipur Government Biswajit Singh ji, Losii Dikho ji, Letpao Haokip ji, Awangbou Newmai ji, S Rajen Singh ji, Vungzagin Valte ji, Satyabrata Singh ji and O. Lukhio Singh ji, my colleagues in Parliament, MLAs, people's representatives, and my dear brothers and sisters of Manipur! Khurumjari!
I bow my head to the great land of Manipur, to the people here, and to the glorious culture here. What could be a greater joy in life than coming to Manipur at the beginning of the year, meeting you, getting so much love and blessings from you? When I landed at the airport, people had lined up the 8-10 km journey of the road with energy and colors. It was kind of a human wall. No one can forget your hospitality, affection and blessings. Happy 2022 to all of you!
Friends,
A few days from now, on January 21, it will be the 50th anniversary of Manipur getting statehood. The country is also celebrating Amrit Mahotsav on the 75th anniversary of its independence. This period is a great inspiration in itself. It is Manipur where heroes like Raja Bhagya Chandra and Khotinthang Sitlhou were born. The belief in freedom among the people of the country started from the land of Moirang is an example in itself, where the army of Netaji Subhas hoisted the national flag for the first time. The North East, which Netaji called the gateway to India's independence, is becoming the gateway to fulfilling the dreams of a new India.
I have said earlier also that the eastern part of the country, the North East, will be the major source of India's development. Today we can see how Manipur and the North East are adding new colors to the future of India.
Friends,
Today, the foundation stone and inauguration of so many projects have taken place here simultaneously. These are different gems of development, whose garland will make the life of the people of Manipur easier and will enhance the splendor of Sana Leibak Manipur. The Integrated Command and Control Center in Imphal will enhance the security of the city and also expand facilities. The lifeline of Manipur is getting a new all-weather connectivity through the Barak River Bridge. The Thoubal Multipurpose Project as well as the water supply scheme in Tamenglong is ensuring clean and pure water to all the people of this remote district.
Friends,
You recall, there was hardly any piped water facility in Manipur until a few years ago. Only 6 percent of people had access to piped water. But today, the government of Biren Singh ji worked round the clock to provide piped water to the people of Manipur under the 'Jal-Jeevan Mission'. Today 60 percent of the households in Manipur have access to piped water. Very soon, Manipur is about to achieve the goal of 'Har Ghar Jal' with 100% saturation. That is the advantage and strength of the double engine government.
Friends,
I would also like to thank the people of Manipur again for the projects that have been laid and unveiled today. You formed such a stable government in Manipur which is functioning with a full majority. How did it happen? It happened because of your one vote. The power of your one vote did what no one could have imagined before in Manipur. This is the strength of your one vote that six lakh farmers of Manipur got hundreds of crores of rupees through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. I just got a chance to talk to some of these beneficiary farmers; their self-confidence and enthusiasm were worth seeing. This is the strength of your one vote that six lakh families of Manipur are getting the benefit of free ration under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.
This is the miracle of the strength of your one vote that about 80,000 houses have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The free treatment of more than 4.25 lakh people in hospitals under the Ayushman Yojana has been made possible only because of your one vote. One vote of yours has ensured free gas connection to 1.5 lakh families and free electricity connection to 1.30 lakh households.
Your one vote has led to toilets being built in more than 30,000 households under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It is the power of your one vote that more than 30 lakh doses of vaccines have been given free of cost here to fight Corona. Today oxygen plants are also being set up in every district of Manipur. All this has been made possible by your one vote.
I heartily congratulate all the people of Manipur for their many achievements. I also congratulate Chief Minister Biren Singh ji and his government for working so hard for the development of Manipur.
Friends,
There was a time when Manipur was left to fend for itself by previous governments. Those who were in Delhi wondered who would take so much pain to go so far. When there is such apathy towards one's own, detachment is bound to grow. I visited Manipur many times before I became Prime Minister. I understood the pain in your heart. Therefore, I brought the entire Delhi, the Government of India, to your doorsteps after 2014. Be it a leader, minister, or officer, I told everyone to go there, spend a long time there and make plans according to the needs there. It was not the idea that I have to give you something. The idea was to work as much as I could with complete dedication and the spirit of service for you, Manipur and the North East. Today five prominent faces of the North East are handling important ministries in the Union Cabinet.
Friends,
Today, the seven years of our government’s hard work is visible all over the North East and in Manipur. Today, Manipur is becoming a symbol of change, a symbol of new work culture. These are the changes for the culture and care of Manipur. There is a priority for connectivity as well as the importance of creativity. Road and infrastructure-related projects and better mobile networks will improve the connectivity of Manipur. The CIIIT will further strengthen the spirit of creativity and innovation in the youth here. The modern cancer hospital will help in the care of the people of Manipur for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases. The establishment of the Manipur Institute of Performing Arts and renovation of Govindajee Temple will preserve the culture of Manipur.
Friends,
It was on this land of the North East that Rani Gaidinliu had shown the dominance of woman power to the foreigners and had fought against the British. The Rani Gaidinliu Museum will connect our youth with the past and also inspire them. There is an island in Andaman Nicobar which was known as Mount Harriet. Even after 75 years of independence, people used to call it Mount Harriet, but we have also decided to change the name of Mount Harriet to Mount Manipur. Now any foreign tourist visiting Andaman and Nicobar will try to find out the history of Mount Manipur.
There was a persistent policy of the previous governments regarding the North East which was ‘Don’t Look East’. The North East was paid attention by Delhi only when elections were held here. But we have embarked on the 'Act East' policy for the North East. God has given this region so many natural resources, so much potential and there are so many possibilities for development and tourism. These possibilities of the North East are now being taken care of. The North East is now becoming the gateway to India's development.
Airports are now being built in the North East, and train services are also reaching here. Manipur is also going to be connected with the rail network of the country through the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line. The Imphal-Morey Highway i.e. Asian Highway One is progressing rapidly. This highway will strengthen India's connectivity to Southeast Asia. Earlier, only the names of a few cities of the country came to the fore when it came to exports. But now, Manipur will also become a major center of trade and export once the Integrated Cargo Terminal is ready, giving impetus to a self-reliant India. And yesterday, the countrymen heard the news that the country set a new record by exporting goods worth 300 billion dollars for the first time since independence. Even smaller states are coming forward in this regard.
Friends,
Earlier people wanted to visit the North East, but were held up thinking how to get here. This caused a lot of damage to the tourism sector here. But now it is becoming easier to reach not only the cities, but also the villages of the North East. Today, work on many National Highways is being carried out here, and hundreds of kilometers of new roads are also being constructed in the villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Natural gas, which was considered a privilege of the few, is now reaching the North East. These new facilities and an increase in connectivity will boost tourism and will create new employment opportunities for the youth here.
Friends,
Manipur has been one of the rare gem states in the country. The youth, especially the daughters of Manipur, have made the country proud everywhere in the world. Today, the youth of the country are taking inspiration from the players of Manipur. From the Commonwealth Games to the Olympics, Manipur has given champions like M.C. Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu, Bombayla Devi, Laishram Sarita Devi, in wrestling, archery, boxing and weightlifting. You have so many promising people who can do amazing things if they get the right guidance and the necessary resources. Our youth and daughters here are full of such talent. Therefore, we have set up a modern sports university in Manipur. This university will not only connect these youth with their dreams, but will also give a new identity to India in the world of sports. This is the new spirit, new passion of the country, which will now be led by our youth and daughters.
Friends,
The North East will also benefit from the national mission on oil palm launched by the central government. Today, India imports a large quantity of palm oil from abroad to meet its needs. Thousands of crores of rupees are being spent on this. We are continuing efforts in this direction so that this money goes to the farmers of India and India becomes self-sufficient in edible oil. This Rs 11,000 crore Oil Palm Mission will go a long way in boosting the income of farmers. And this is going to happen mostly in the North-East. Here in Manipur also, work is happening very fast. The government is also giving financial assistance for setting up new mills for oil palms.
Friends,
While being proud of the achievements of Manipur, we also have to remember that we have a long way to go. We also need to remember how we started this journey. We have to remember how our Manipur was made a ‘blockade state’ by the previous governments and they created a gap between the Hill and Valley for political gains. We have to remember how conspiracies were hatched to create differences between people.
Friends,
Today, there is no fire of extremism and insecurity, but the light of peace and development in the region due to the constant efforts of the double engine government. Hundreds of young people across the North East have given up arms and joined the mainstream of development. Our government has also entered into historic agreements which were awaited for decades. From ‘blockade state’, Manipur is paving the way for international trade. Our government has launched “Go to Hills” and “Go to Villages” campaigns to bridge the gaps between the Hill and the Valley.
In the midst of these efforts, you have to remember that some people want to destabilize Manipur again in order to gain power. These people are hoping to play a game of unrest when they get a chance. I am happy that the people of Manipur have recognized them. Now the people of Manipur will not allow the development here to stop. Manipur must not be allowed to slip into the dark again.
Friends,
Today, the country is moving ahead with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. Today, the country is working with the spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas’ (efforts of all) and is working for all and far and wide. This decade of the 21st century is very important for Manipur. Earlier governments wasted a lot of time. Now we don't have to waste a single moment. We have to maintain stability in Manipur and also take Manipur to a new height of development. And this can only be done by the double engine government.
I am confident that Manipur will continue to maintain its blessings on the double engine government. Once again, best wishes to the people of Manipur, my dear brothers and sisters of Manipur, for today's many projects.
Thagatchari!!!
Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki – Jai!
Many thanks!
