NER's Renaissance: From Isolation to Integration, Celebrating North-East Region’s Rich Cultural Heritage through Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, 2024

By Jyotiraditya M Scindia

Union Minister for DoNER and Communications

In the Old Tesen village of Nagaland, unlike any village the evenings are not for relaxing. For the residents, the time is mostly utilised to check their farm produce, restock their inventory and refresh their phones to check for the next online orders for their world-famous Naga King Chillies (also known as Raja Mircha). A village once disconnected from the outer world and unknown to outstation markets, is today selling its Raja Mirchas to more than 250+ international and national buyers digitally. With a smartphone in their hands, the villagers today auction their products, sell it at the most competitive price and ignite community spirits by keeping their tradition of uniting agriculture, culture and heritage.

This tale of transformation is not only restricted to the Old Tesen village but can be seen, felt and observed in every corner of the North Eastern region of India. For a region which was once languished in obscurity and crippled by the inability of previous regimes is today the key enabler to the nation’s vision for building a Viksit Bharat. At its core is a comprehensive development and social unity approach, headed by our visionary Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who has challenged the status quo and taken the uncharted route to make the North East the ‘Growth Engine of India’. Unlike most Indian Prime Ministers before him, Shri Modi understood the North east’s foundation and its core took a holistic approach to tackle the challenges of the region.

He addressed them on two crucial fronts – one, a commitment to maximize investment and implement high-impact capital projects thus ensuring economic proliferation and second through building the cultural power of the region. The ‘Look East’ Policy was modified to ‘Act East’ and is now changed to ‘Act East, Act Fast and Act First’ thus opening new avenues for trade, collaboration and connectivity. In 2014-15, the budgetary allocation of the central government to the region was Rs. 27,359 crore, which has now increased by more than 275% to Rs. 1,02,749 crore. Number of airports has nearly doubled in the region from 9 to 17 with 2 new airports getting international connectivity. The average annual rail budget allocation has increased by 384% to Rs. 9,970 crore and the rail network has increased by 1,909 kilometers. Similarly 46,496 kilometers of rural roads have been completed and the region today has 16,125 kilometers of National Highways, 147% more than what it had in before 2014. This premise of physical connectivity is being supported by a digital one- ensuring that 4G connectivity reaches 4525 villages of the region and about 5600 are being covered under the Digital Bharat Nidhi with a budget of Rs. 3,715 crore. This surge in connectivity creates a web on the map of the region, ensuring that the map not only represents cities but also underserved and unserved regions, boost local economies and corroborates North-East as a window to the South East Asian region. It is evident that since 2014, a major impetus was given to further strengthen this relationship between the Indian Northeast and Southeast Asia. To realise this potential, work is resolutely underway on projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT Highway) and the Agartala-Akhaura rail project. Once complete, these would be complete game changers for the region.

While the region is seeing success stories mushrooming everyday and it is also encountering the formation of a strong cultural identity that is powering India’s soft power. Our cultural diplomacy is soon going to become a jewel in the crown of Viksit Bharat. Northeast’s unique culture and art is taking the global stage. Recently in a cabinet decision to protect and promote of our languages Assamese was recognised as a classical language, Moidams – The Mound-Burial System of Ahom Dynasty also got inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 43rd Entry, the 2024 Padma Awards was illuminated with Northeast’s cultural brilliance with a record 11 trailblazers getting awarded.

The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region is similarly driven by the idea of “विविधता में एकता” and through a ‘whole of government’ approach. Today, we not only plan and implement ‘projects’ but also transform and empower the lives of 4.7 crore Bhartiyas living in the region. Our North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has successfully obtained the prestigious Oeko-Tex certification for its Eri Silk, directly from Germany on the Nation’s 78th Independence Day; the platform (North East Region Agri Commodity E-Connect (NERACE)) which has empowered the residents of the Old Tesen village is now available to every farmer of the region; out of the 3579 sanctioned projects we have completed 2438 thus showcasing a success rate of more than 68%, we have constituted five task forces for strategic planning and implementation of reformatory projects.

It is under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and by joining hands with the eight States we are working towards strengthening their social, economic and cultural upliftment. Our work is no longer limited to infrastructure projects but goes above and beyond to unlock the entrepreneurial energies of our Amrit Peedhi, connect women with new opportunities and ensure overall development of the region. It is with this resolve that we are delighted to host the maiden edition of Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav - a celebration of North east’s vibrant textile sector, tourism opportunities, and traditional craftsmanship. This three day festival embraces the region’s cultural diversity and heritage with 8 State Pavilions, a North East Haat that will house 320 stalls for local artisans and give a platform to more than 500 artisans to showcase their talent. As the region rises to become the biggest reservoirs of India’s growth, this festival believes in creating a seamless cohesion of people from the NER across the country and curate cultural properties that celebrate the rich legacy of these states. PM Modi believes that the dawn of development will rise from the East, from Eastern India and this festival aims to power his belief. As we begin the festival today in the esteem presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the Bharat Mandapam, I urge all of you to come and be part of this celebration. As North East rises to become the biggest reservoirs of India’s growth, let’s traverse it with optimism and determination to build a Viksit Uttar Purv.