It is my privilege to address you on the eve of the completion of 55th years of our Statehood Day on 1st December 2018. I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Nagaland on this historic occasion. It was on the first of December in 1963, our state of Nagaland was created as the 16th State of the Indian Union.
On this joyous occasion, I pay tribute to great leaders who were the architects and strived hard to create the State and achieved the aspirations and the identity of the people of the State. We are proud of the heritage that our early pioneers have given to us.
I know that that these 55 years have been very fruitful since the State has made commendable achievements in its development and governance though there are areas which need more focus. We need to march with the sole mission of development and progress with re-dedication and commitment to provide good quality of life to our people.
We must focus on unity among the tribes and strengthen peace process by the Central Government and other Stakeholders.
Friends, Today as our state stands on the crossroads of development and prosperity, peace remains a much cherished goal in our state. We have to ensure that we live in harmony with one another, have unity cutting across tribes and communities.
There are challenges. Challenges can act as an inspiration. The need for development and economic growth is felt by all. Our goal is to improve governance and inclusive growth with new and indigenous technology.
I appeal to all our youth, women, farmers and workers of the State to be bold, creative and be open to new perspectives. We are second to none. I am confident that change in our mindset can be brought about by youth. They are our strength. They have tremendous vibrancy and creative energy.
We need to provide quality education and focus more on capacity building and skill education to create more employment opportunities for the youth, we need to empower our youth to compete in the global market.
Empowered Naga youth with their talents and their knowledge can only make Nagaland a Golden Nagaland, a vibrant & economically strong Nagaland. No others can make our State an economically prosperous State. With God given natural resources like Oil, Coal, Hydro potential; Minerals, precious stones; Organic produces, solar energy, rain water, etc. we can become a strong and economically self-sufficient State in the Union of India. We Naga can strengthen our Nagaland.
We have an opportunity waiting for us. The agro-climatic conditions in our state provide commercial opportunities for agro-based industries, medicinal and aromatic plants, horticulture, food processing, mining, tourism, handlooms and handicrafts sectors. Agriculture, which is the backbone of the state economy has witnessed improvements in food production. Focus should be given on increasing productivity through adaptation of suitable technology. We have to be self sufficient in food. We have the potentiality to achieve this.
Our state is blessed with good soil and agro climatic condition which is suitable for growing of various fruits and vegetables. Floriculture, one of the fastest growing sectors in the Horticulture sector in the State has its full potential for providing employment especially for the women to work, generating revenue and income for the womenfolk of the state.
Realising the vast potential available, the State has been promoting and developing tourism to keep pace with the rest of the world. The highest number of tourist flow in Nagaland is during Hornbill festival. I am glad to know that Nagaland Tourism is also placed in the world tourism map. The state has made incredible progress in the field of health-care, education, social services, hospitality, culture and IT sectors.
Proper Public Utility Services like Restaurants, Home Stay, Security, Public Toilets and proper publicity has to be the corner stone for motivating the domestic and foreign tourists. Amur Falcon roosting sites, Dzhuku Valley Trekking, Green Village Khonoma, Heritage Village Kisama, historic village Ruzhazho, and many more historic and beautiful places in the State can attract both domestic and foreign tourists. We have the potentially to be on the top in Sports, Hospitality, performing arts, etc.
Friends, There are a number of schemes and welfare programmes to educate the public about Governments Flagships Welfare Programmes. These are all beneficial for the welfare and upliftment of the people. There is a need for all concerned including the students and youths to be more aware of the schemes and to take advantage of them and also disseminate information about these schemes in their area. The Government of India has introduced MUDRA schemes targeted for helping students, especially from the weaker section of the society to become entrepreneurs.
We are optimistic about the prospects of the on-going dialogue to bring about a resolution of the long pending political issue and I am confident that any final resolution will be with the support of all sections of our society.
Being a Strategic Border Area State, we the people and Government have to see that we catch up with other economically developed States in our Country. Our youth empowered with education should take up this challenge to make Nagaland a Golden Nagaland.
Equal development should be the goal of both Central and State Government for a strong Nation. The Central Government has made a thrust in this direction to make every corner of the country to progress equally. On this day we take a pledge, with more than three lakh graduates out of 20 lakh population, to make our State economically strong and march with jet speed to be in tune with other states of the country.
“Rajyapal Vikas Ke Rajdoot”, with this mantra, I value your full support and respect for my outreaching programmes not only as Head of the State but as Head of five powerful Organised Groups like (i) Rajya Sainik Board with more than three thousand Ex-Servicemen, (ii) Scouts & Guides, (iii) Red Cross Society, (iv) five Universities and (v) North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) where more than 5000 performing artists are registered.
I have also been appointed as one of the nine (Navratnas) National Brand Ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Modiji in 2014 at Varanasi. I have appointed Brand Ambassadors for NAMASTE NE States for effective coordination of Swachh Bharat Programmes in all the 8 States.
When I was holding additional charge of Tripura, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, I have appointed State Level Swachh Bharat Mission Committees, including Nagaland, for effective and successful conduct of Swachh Bharat Mission activities. I am happy that they all are performing their duties and responsibilities in a commendable way. As a part of Swachh Bharat Mission activities, Raj Bhavan in collaboration with Indian National Fellowship Centre, an NGO from Mumbai, have constructed 20 Bamboo toilets in public places.
To carry forward the mission of educating girl children in our country, I also have opened an exclusive Bank Account for the Beti Bechao Beti Padhao Scheme and so far we have sponsored more than 500 girl children in the State during 2017-18.
Several medical camps with free medicines and surgeries were conducted by Doctors from Maharashtra in all the Districts of the State. Student/Faculty exchange programmes have been conducted. Under my initiative, a number of students were given free admission in Engineering, Para-medical Courses, Nursing, etc in various Universities and Colleges in Karnataka and Mumbai.
I have taken up initiatives to ensure food security for service providers and weaker sections, interacted with inmates of Orphanages and Old Age Homes, Progressive Farmers in the States to strengthen them and also strengthen organic food producers.
I am concerned about our citizens who are working hard for earning livelihood in unrecognised villages of our State. Everyone of us has to outreach our duties and responsibilities to make our society peaceful and progressive.
On this joyous occasion, I once again extend my best wishes to you for your well-being, happiness, growth and progress. It is my fervent hope that the State scales new heights in overall development and thus would contribute significantly to the progress and prosperity of the Nation.
