Dear Brothers, Sisters and beloved Children,
Namaskar,
I greet you all on the 72nd Independence Day of our great country, Bharat i.e. INDIA. As we celebrate our 71 years of Independence, I fondly remember the sacrifices made by our Freedom Fighters who gave up their entire life for our well-being. Today is not just freedom that we celebrate, but the rare inner strength and unity of people that enabled our country to emerge as one of the fastest developing nations in the world.
I express my appreciation and gratitude to the Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, State Police and other Security Agencies for their concerted efforts in securing the lives and properties of the people. We are proud that North East has also contributed equally for the freedom of our Country.
Now, every Indian, whichever country and wherever he may be, is proud that he is an Indian. Hon’ble Modiji has made India proud.
India’s reputation has improved worldwide. The common man has been given better privileges which have led to his social and economic empowerment. Government of India has introduced a number of welfare projects that have empowered the people of our country. It is a wonderful journey of transforming India, delivering good governance & transparent, corruption free system for New India. Prime Minister Narendra Modji created transparent systems through legislative and institutional changes which have given this country scam-free governance. Mudra Yojana has made credit available to budding entrepreneurs. The biggest beneficiaries of this have been women, scheduled castes & tribes, minorities and other weaker sections. The educated young people coming out of University have also taken up entrepreneurship and created wealth for the society with the help of Mudra Yojana.
The quality of life in villages has improved with better roads, electricity, affordable rural housing, toilets and gas connections. Government of India is developing market architecture in the country’s agricultural sector. The farmers can benefit even more if the centre and the state governments come up with joint decisions upholding the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Our farmers with the organic produce have an opportunity to be a member of cooperative movement and to be empowered financially and get a better price for their Agri produce. Nagaland has indeed progressed in the last 54 years. The agro-climatic conditions in our state provide commercial opportunities for agro-based and forest-based industries, medicinal and aromatic plants, horticulture, food processing, mining, tourism, handlooms and handicrafts sectors.
Healthcare delivery in India is now uniquely poised to undergo a change at all its stages — prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with the launch of Ayushman Bharat/National Health Protection Mission. I am happy that with my initiative, our State Government and Tata Trusts, Mumbai singed a Memorandum of Understanding recently to implement a programme for providing comprehensive cancer care in the State.
The Central Government is committed to raising the living standards of its citizens and ensuring inclusive growth for all – Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. The new idea of Rajyapal – Vikas Ke Rajdoot- Catalytic role of Governors as agents for change in society– in the recently concluded Conference of the Governors discussed how Governors can be catalytic agents for change in the society.
Accordingly, I have continued to motivate all the five Universities, Indian Red Cross Society, Bharat Scouts & Guides, Rajya Sainik Board and North East Zone Cultural Centre - of all these five organizations, I am ex-officio head. They have to outreach to strengthen the society with changed ‘Silos’ and be the Nodal agents to identify and motivate the beneficiaries of Central and State Government Flagship Programmes. I had interaction with these organizations wherein I called upon them to adopt villages and constitute a team to visit identified villages to interact with targeted beneficiaries of Flagship Welfare Schemes/Projects. The need of the hour is to outreach the unempowered sections along with our constitutional responsibilities.
A noble idea of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji to identify and bring development equally with other Districts, so that fruits of Independence should reach equitably to all the places and people, Government of India has indentified 115 backward districts in the country under Aspirational Districts Programme. Under this programme Kiphire has been selected and the programme is being implemented there. I, on behalf of the State Government, have requested our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji to include Mon district also.
I am pained to note that incessant rains have wreaked havoc in our State over the past few weeks resulting in a lot of damage to roads and a large number of houses. Government machineries are making sincere efforts for restoring damaged infrastructure and providing relief and rehabilitation. Our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Neiphiu Rio has appealed for help from the public for flood relief fund.
I appeal to all to contribute liberally for our brothers and sisters the victims of natural disaster.
Our Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovindji has appealed to all to come out of Silos – closed mindsets. We have to change our self-centered mindset. Education is the foundation for prosperity. We have five Universities in Nagaland. Out of 20 lakhs population in Nagaland at present there are three hundred thousand graduates in different faculties, including medicine, engineering, education etc. Let our Youth take up entrepreneurship and make Nagaland a Golden Nagaland by proper use of our natural resources and convert into wealth by their educational empowerment. We are second to none.
It is my fervent hope that our people’s efforts would scales to new heights to our State, for overall development, and contribute significantly to the progress and prosperity of the Nation.
On this momentous occasion of the 72nd Independence Day, I appeal to all sections of the Naga people, particularly the Tribal Hohos, Civil Society Groups, NGOs, youth and hard working women folk and farmers to come forward and support the peace process with a spirit of understanding, brotherhood and unity.
Kuknalim, Bharat Mata Ki Jai
