Golden Era for NE region

SHILLONG, JAN 28:  Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan said with the union government giving the growth and development of the north eastern region top most priority, the region will see a ‘

Golden Era’ in the name of ‘Act East Policy’ instead of ‘Look East Policy.’

The governor said this during the three-day Public Information Campaign organised by the Press Information Bureau and other central media units like AIR, DDK, DFP, DAVP and Song and Drama division in collaboration with the District Administration of East Khasi hills district at Smit village that kicked off on Thursday with more than 50 stalls being put-up for public display.

Besides the governor who was chief guest, others who attended the programme were by local MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner PS Dkhar, chieftain of Hima Khyrim Balajied Sing Syiem and heads of All Radio Shillong and Doordarshan Kendra Shillong besides ministers of the Hima Khyrim, officials from different government departments both state and central, security personnel from para military forces and the people of Smit village.

Addressing the gathering, Governor V Shanmuganathan said, “The various schemes and unique programmes which are aimed at enhancing the livelihood of the common people have been launched and, therefore, the Golden Era should come to the region.” He informed that the central government is focusing all development activities towards the NE in as far as health care sector, communication, roads and transport, infrastructure, connectivity is concerned.

All the north east states should benefits from government schemes, Shanmuganathan said adding that the region draws maximum attention from central government even as he mentioned that if NE is not developed then India cannot developed.

The governor further added that the people should play their role in ensuring the growth and development of the region by visiting the government departments and collecting the required information to take advantage of the various schemes.

Commenting on the economic status of the farmers and women in the state, the governor said that as 60 percent of the people in the state depend on agriculture, it is very important for the farming communities to avail the benefits of the government while adding that as Infant Mortality Rate poses a challenge to the government, there are various schemes which could help ease the burden saying “It’s up to the people to go to the nearby health care services to take advantage of the schemes.”

He further appreciated the contributions made by central government agencies in dissemination of information to the public like All India Radio, Post Office and Doordarshan Kendra Shillong besides other health care services like NEIGHRIMS.

“The government spends lakh of crore of rupees for all the projects for the benefit of the common people and the people should come forward and avail these benefits,” the governor said while informing about the various schemes like the Make in India, Digital India, Smart City, Indra Dhanush, Stand up India and Start-up India which are aimed at empowering the people especially the youth of the country to become entrepreneurs and contribute to the economic growth of the nation.

Meanwhile, HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said “It is a known fact that information is power and people should be able to get access to these information,” adding that if the people adequately equipped with the much needed information, the economy of the people will thrive hence contributing to the economic growth of the state and the country as a whole.

Echoing similar view, the East Khasi hill deputy commissioner PS Dkhar informed that the idea of holding this three day programme is to sensitize the rural populace about the various programmes of the government both centre and state.

“There are certain programmes which are not known to the people, which need consultation, needs proper scrutiny before the programme are put into place and hence, this programme provides a platform for the people to gather the much needed information about the various initiatives of the government,” Dkhar said adding that the people should take the initiative by coming forward to avail these schemes.

The chieftain of Hima Khyrim Balajied Sing Syiem highlighted on the need for government departments and agencies to fill the communication gap between the urban and rural populace in as far as dissemination of information is concerned. Syiem mentioned that there is a lack of access of information from government departments and this develops a sense of disappointment to the people especially the youth. “Our youth have a lot of potential and there is an urgent need to tap their potential to further enhance the economic growth of the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, considering the fact that the people of the state are short and not heavy built, the Sordar of Smit village, KM Syiem said that the opportunities to enter para military forces are minimal considering their height.  In line with this, Syiem called upon the governor to request  the defence ministry to consider condoning the height for the people of Meghalaya even as he gave an assurance that the people of the region can be the best fighting force in the country.

Various stalls are being put up for display for public information, providing an opportunity to the public to throw queries and gather the needed information. A free medical check-up was also organised during the 3-day function for the benefits of the people.-By Our Reporter