Arunachal Corridor will act as a land bridge between India & SE South East Asia
ITANAGAR, Nov 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said Government is planning to set up North East Industrial Corridor that will create numerous job opportunities for the people of the region, while the Arunachal Corridor will act as a land bridge between India and South East Asia that will provide employment opportunities and give fillip to trade and tourism. The Defence Minister said this in his address at the 11th Maitree Diwas celebrations at Tawang.
Underlining the Union Govt’s special emphasis on the development of the North East region under the Act East Policy, Singh said, “Road to ‘New India’ runs through ‘New North-East India’.” He added, “India is marching forward on the path of all-round progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Reaffirming Government’s commitment to improve connectivity in the border areas, the Defence Minister said, approval to construct a tunnel at Sela Pass to Tawang, operationalisation of Pasighat Airport, nod to set up Hollongi Airport near Itanagar and work to establish three strategic Railway lines in the region are some of the decisions in that direction.
He said, the projects will provide all-weather connectivity to the local population, facilitate the movement of the Armed Forces and give a boost to tourism.
He also lauded the five-year road plan of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu under which all the existing inter-state and inter-district roads will be upgraded to State highway specifications by 2024.
Speaking on Maitree Diwas, which is showcasing the local culture as well as modern military demonstrations, including helicopter flypast and weapons display, Singh said, the festival symbolises the patriotism of the people of the region and their close relationship with the Armed Forces.
He said this ‘civil-military friendship’ is an assurance that the nation’s borders are doubly safe. He called for oneness among people, civil administration, Police and Central Armed Police Forces to realise the dream of ‘New India’.
The Defence Minister also urged the youth of the border state to join the Armed Forces. “The people of Arunachal Pradesh are known for their patriotism. My ministry will see that Army Recruitment Centres are set up in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang,” he added.
Singh said his Ministry is planning to set up an Army Liaison Cell in Itanagar to facilitate cooperation with the Army for operational purposes in Arunachal Pradesh. It will be a single window entity for all issues, he said.
The two-day socio-military cultural extravaganza is jointly organised by the Indian Army, Tawang civil administration and volunteers at Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium, Tawang, which stands as a testimony to the spirit of solidarity and patriotic fervour that runs deep amongst the locals of Tawang district.
Singh was the chief guest of the event, which was jointly inaugurated by CM Pema Khandu and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan.
‘Know Your Army’ is the theme of the event that is enlightening the youth about the Armed Forces and motivating them to adorn the uniform one day and serve the motherland. The inaugural event commenced with vibrant cultural programmes culminating in a scintillating performance by military pipe bands.
Later, the Defence Minister visited Tawang War Memorial and offered tributes to the fallen soldiers who made supreme sacrifice during the War of 1962. He also visited the Tawang Monastery and offered prayers. He is on a two-day visit to the frontier state.
A communique from CMO said, the Defence Minister said patriotism exhibited by Arunachali people are applauded not only in India but also by Indians living in the abroad. He said Arunachal has bright future under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu whose tirade against corruption will take the state to new heights of development.
Besides a ‘Sena Sampark’ centre being proposed at Itanagar, he also said that his ministry is proposing to identify and develop ‘tourism hotspots’ in Arunachal, which will be developed with the assistance from the Indian Army posted in the border areas.
In his address, the Chief Minister said the bonhomie shared by civilians and Indian Army here is exemplary, adding that the presence of Indian Army in the border areas of Arunachal has contributed lot to its development.
“Wherever civilian administrations are unable to reach out to people for medical assistance, education and for distress help during natural calamities, Indian Army has always proved to be of great assistance,” Khandu said while extending gratitude to the defence forces for their humanitarian services in Arunachal.
He said people of Arunachal have always been a patriot whose patriotism is second to none. On the occasion, he remembered great freedom fighters Matmur Jamoh and Moji Riba and also paid tribute to late Havildar Hangpan Dada.
Also present on the occasion were Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, MLAs Tsering Tashi, Jambey Tashi & Phurpa Tsering, Major General Deepak Saini and other dignitaries.