Bhagat drags Modi’s farmer agenda to Mokokchung

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Oct. 5 (EMN): Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Sudarsham Bhagat on Thursday announced that the Modi government plans to double farmers’ income in the next five years as the nation celebrates the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement.
The Union Minister of State was addressing a civic reception at Anu Mai Amphithreatre, Chuchuyimlang village under Mokokchung district. After recently taking charge of ministry for Tribal Affairs, this is his first maiden visit to Nagaland.
Bhagat said the Prime Minister Modi is very serious about eradicating poverty and has given more priority for the social-economic development of the farmers; therefore hundreds of schemes have been launched for the uplift of the rural people which are now implemented by the state governments, he said.
Nevertheless, the union ministry of state also said the Tribal Ministry has also implemented many schemes to remove poverty among the tribal community and urged the people to take advantage of the various schemed under the tribal ministry through the state government and district administration.
Bhagat today visited Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Tizit, a government of India scheme for model residential school for Indian tribal (scheduled tribes) across India and inspected the under construction multi-purpose hall funded under Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Chuchuyimlang village.
The union ministry also acknowledged that compared to other states Nagaland is more advance in education but lamented that compared to private schools, government runs schools are lacking in certain areas. Therefore, he said EMRS was started to give the tribal children the same facilities and quality education as the private schools.
“Until people are educated and literate our country cannot progress therefore our ministry is laying more focus on education,” Bhagat asserted.
Besides, he also lauded the people of Nagaland for their warmth hospitality and impressed to see the rich costume and traditions still conserved and practice by the people.
The union ministry was accompanied by former Lok Sabha MP and Advisor for Planning and Coordination, CM Chang and former Minister and Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies Nuklutoshi Longkumer. Both the advisors also spoke at the programme.
Advisor Nuklutoshi highlighted about the two valuable assets- the Amphitheatre and under construction Multi-Purpose Hall provided by Ministry for Tribal Affairs, adding that these facilities have proven to be instrumental in bolstering the development of the village.
He also mentioned about the NIELET branch under Ministry of Information Technology and Mahatma Gandhi Academy of Human Development which has contributed immensely towards imparted training and education to the tribal students.
He further informed that Mahatma Gandhi Academy of Human Development is being planned to be ungraded to a skill University shortly and appealed the Union Minister to explored the possibilities for supporting these projects which will benefit not only the people of Nagaland but also from Northeast States and ASEAN Countries.
Earlier Ao Sanen Pongen, Chairman Village Council Chuchuyimlang delivered the welcome address and Meren Shilu, Associate Pastor Youth Ministry pronounced the innovation.
Cultural displays were also presented from Chang tribe (Yaongyimti village), Phom tribe (Hukphang Village) and Ao tribe (Chuchuyimlang village).