Latest news with #DoNER
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Khandu discusses positives of ‘Rising Northeast' with guv
1 2 3 4 Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Thursday called on governor KT Parnaik at the Raj Bhavan, with their discussion primarily centred around the recently-held 'Rising Northeast' initiative, organised by the Union ministry of development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), an official statement from the Raj Bhavan said. Lauding the initiative, the governor termed it as a turning point in the region's development and said the event served as an exhibition of the northeast's diverse opportunities in manufacturing a platform to build meaningful partnerships across sectors. Congratulating CM Khandu and his deputy Chowna Mein for securing MoUs with business houses and enterprises, the governor suggested exploring more avenues for business expansion and pursuing new investments in the state. He insisted on seizing the opportunity to foster new alliances and long-term collaborations. Parnaik also stressed on the importance of youth engagement, skill development and entrepreneurship as key pillars of the state's future. The idea is to create jobs and also nurture job creators and entrepreneurs, he said. Khandu shared insights from the interactions during the meeting, highlighting the enthusiastic response from industry leaders.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Arunachal CM calls on Governor Lt General KT Parnaik after Rising Northeast Investors Summit
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), [India], May 29 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt General KT Parnaik (Retd.) at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on Thursday. In the meeting that underscored a shared commitment to the prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh and the broader North-eastern region, they discussed the recently held 'Rising Northeast' initiative, organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). The Governor lauded the vision behind Rising Northeast, calling it a turning point in the developmental journey of the region. He said that the event served as an exhibition of the Northeast's diverse opportunities in manufacturing and services and as a platform to build meaningful partnerships across sectors. Congratulating the Chief Minister Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein for securing memoranda of understanding with business houses and enterprises, the Governor suggested exploring more avenues for expanding business and pursuing new investments in Arunachal Pradesh. He insisted on seizing the unique opportunity to foster new alliances and long-term collaborations that can transform lives on the ground. The Governor stressed the importance of youth engagement, skill development, and entrepreneurship as key pillars of the state's future. He said that the idea is to create jobs, and also to nurture job creators and entrepreneurs who can contribute to both local communities and the national economy. Chief Minister Khandu shared insights from the interactions during the event, highlighting the enthusiastic response from industry leaders and the concrete outcomes already taking shape. Earlier this week, the Arunachal Pradesh government signed Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 6,357 crore with 16 investors across diverse sectors during the two-day Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, which was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from May 23 to 24, to attract investment in the northeastern Region. (ANI)
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
2025 investor summit shows PM Modi's commitment to Northeast
As PM Modi put it , 'For us, EAST is not just a direction—it is a vision: Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform. This is the guiding framework of our policy for Eastern India.' The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to correct this 'gap' between the Northeast and New Delhi. PM Modi has carried forward the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who saw the necessity of integrating the region with the rest of India. Vajpayee set up the DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) ministry in 2001 – which became a full-fledged ministry in 2004 – to ensure equitable development and progress in these far-flung but strategically important states. The Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 , held recently at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, highlighted the current government's determination to ensure that Guwahati, Agartala, Imphal, and Shillong become the Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad of the Northeast. India's Northeast has struggled with underdevelopment for decades – due to poor connectivity, cultural isolation, and other crucial factors. Moreover, its proximity to friendly – and not so friendly – neighbours such as China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan makes it a geopolitical hotbed. It takes a wise leader to understand the importance of integrating this sensitive region. Also read: India must look beyond Bangladesh. Kolkata-Sittwe-Aizawl corridor is key to Northeast Historical importance Home to over 200 tribes, Northeast India is a culturally, ethnically, and linguistically rich region. I have regularly travelled to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur – both as a Minister of State and a BJP party worker – and have been deeply fascinated by the diversity and traditions I encountered on each visit. On a recent trip to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, I was welcomed warmly by the Adi and Galo tribes. The Galo people presented me with a beautiful handwoven wrap-around half-sari, showcasing the region's cultural heritage. The early years after Independence saw unrest and insurgency due to perceived neglect and alienation, leading to the formation of Nagaland in 1963, and Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya in 1972. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became full-fledged states in 1987. The unrest, however, continued. Armed separatist groups such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) created immense disturbance in the region with support from across the border. Under the present NDA government, many challenges related to insurgency have been handled firmly, and any attempt to create conflict will be handled resolutely and responsibly. Migration from Bangladesh, for instance, has continually reshaped Assam and Tripura's demographics. But BJP-backed initiatives such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have brought tentative stability. Also read: Northeast a success story not just for BJP but all of India. It's all about getting to end of bell curve Corridor to Southeast Asia Alliances such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have increased the strategic importance of the Northeastern Region, which, in line with the Look East /Act East Policy, serves as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. Regional connectivity, through various development corridors such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, is removing traditional barriers to regional trade. As revealed at the Northeast investors summit, the Modi government plans to boost economic integration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and increase trade from $125 billion to $200 billion in the next 10 years. Existing Initiatives such as the Mekong Ganga Cooperation support this vision, aiming to promote tourism, culture, and education between India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. Additionally, the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement, the protocol for which was recently finalised, seeks to provide a seamless way for vehicles to travel across borders, greatly benefiting regional supply chains. Also read: Modi's yoga mat to Nagaland honey, NECTAR is taking Northeast to Japan, Netherlands Boosting infrastructure Infrastructure development in the Northeast has increased by leaps and bounds in the last decade or so. At the 2025 investors summit, my former colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia, who also leads the DoNER ministry, praised PM Modi's commitment to the region. Under the PM's leadership, 'the ministry has created eight high-level task forces across key sectors such as agriculture, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles and handicrafts, and animal husbandry, allowing each state to chart its own roadmap,' Scindia said. National highways in the region have expanded to over 16,000 km, while airports have nearly doubled — from nine to 17 — between 2014 and 2024. Waterways, too, are being rapidly developed as an alternative form of transportation. Of special significance is Bogibeel, India's longest rail-road bridge, which was inaugurated with great fanfare by previous governments but kept missing completion deadlines. The work was finally expedited and finished under PM Modi in 2018. I recently travelled from Assam to Arunachal on this bridge, which is an engineering marvel – a magnificent 4.94 km rail and road bridge over the Brahmaputra River, designed to withstand earthquakes. This bridge has significantly reduced travel time and gives increased accessibility to the border areas of Tibet via Arunachal. Another engineering feat is the all-weather Sela Tunnel, which provides year-round connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Rail projects worth Rs 88,000 crore will boost connectivity in the region; Assam even got its first Vande Bharat Train in 2023. A portion of the Agartala-Akhaura rail line was inaugurated in November that year. The Tata group, on the other hand, is in the process of setting up a semiconductor plant in Assam, with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore. Regular investor summits are being held all over the country to persuade national and international investors to set up their manufacturing plants in the region. My frequent trips to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya have deepened my respect for Northeastern people. It is clear that they want to be a part of Viksit Bharat 2047 and do not wish to be left behind. I recently interacted with inspirational youth leader Tana Jiri, whose speech on One Nation, One Election, motivated local youth to play an active role in initiating positive change. An advocate for youth rights, Jiri embodies the young generation that wants to participate in the development of India through initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat, and the Apun Bahen Scheme. These youngsters are motivated and open-minded, and are happy to adapt to the three-language policy. It is apparent that our forward-thinking PM Modi has a vision for the greatly neglected Northeast states, which he has referred to as India's 'Ashtalakshmi' – eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi. The region, rich in minerals, bamboo, and tea and home to sporting legends such as Mary Kom and Baichung Bhutia, is an emerging hub for aspirational India. Rather than neglecting this important corner of the country, PM Modi has fulfilled his promise of taking India, in its entirety, into the future. Meenakashi Lekhi is a BJP leader, lawyer and social activist. Her X handle is @M_Lekhi. Views are personal. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti)
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre to boost marketing of Mizoram cash crops: Scindia
1 2 Aizawl: Union minister for Development of North East Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia has promised Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma that the central govt will prioritise the marketing of the state's cash crops, particularly ginger and Mizo chilli, according to an official release on Monday. During their meeting at Scindia's official residence in Delhi on Sunday, the leaders discussed various matters, including establishing markets for Mizoram's agricultural and horticultural produce. The minister additionally pledged significant attention towards developing the sports sector in the northeastern state. The CM expressed his appreciation to the union minister for DoNER ministry's selection of Thenzawl town as a global model site. Scindia assured his commitment to pursuing the proposal for upgrading the Thenzawl golf course to international standards. The statement noted that state sports & tourism minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, Mizoram's sole Lok Sabha representative Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, and R Lalrodingi, OSD to CM, accompanied Lalduhoma during the meeting with the DoNER minister.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rising Northeast Summit gets investment proposals of Rs 4.3 lakh crore, says Jyotiraditya Scindia
The two-day Rising Northeast Investors Summit , where investment potentials were showcased for the northeastern states, could draw an unprecedented Rs 4.3 lakh crore worth of investment proposals to the region, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. The summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , was held here on May 23-24 where chief ministers of all the northeastern states, Union ministers, industry leaders, diplomats and others took part. Scindia, the Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), said the ministry has created eight high-level task forces across key sectors -- agriculture, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles and handicrafts, and animal husbandry -- allowing each state to chart its own roadmap, according to an official statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Has Honda Done It Again? The New Honda CR-V is Finally Here. TheFactualist Undo He said the DoNER ministry has been holding discussions with different stakeholders, including investors, foreign diplomats and ambassadors, encouraging them to explore investment opportunities in the northeastern states. In the last one year, the ministry led an extensive nationwide and international engagement effort in this direction, the statement said. Live Events The key initiatives include nine domestic roadshows across major Indian cities, ambassadors' meets with representatives from over 95 countries, six state roundtables, six sector-specific industry interactions, and numerous consultations with PSUs, industry chambers, and corporates. "These discussions have borne real fruit of investment proposals of Rs 4.30 lakh crore," Scindia said. In his valedictory address, the minister said the Northeast has emerged as a hub of global partnership and mutual interest. He said the summit drew an unprecedented Rs 4.3 lakh crore in investment interests, setting the stage for the Northeast to become India's next economic powerhouse. "We welcomed delegations from over 80 countries -- from Japan to Europe to ASEAN nations -- and there was one unanimous sentiment: India's future lies in Northeast," he said. Scindia also praised Prime Minister Modi for not just recognising the vast potential of the northeastern region but also embracing it. The minister said for six decades after Independence, successive governments failed to recognise the vast potential of this region -- a land that once contributed nearly 20 per cent to India's GDP. But Prime Minister Modi not only understood this potential, he embraced it, Scindia said, adding that under Modi's leadership, "we adopted a whole-of-government approach". He also said this is the first time since the inception of the DoNER ministry that an investment summit has been organised on this scale. On Friday, industry leaders, including Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, and Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta , collectively announced investments worth more than Rs 1,55,000 crore to explore opportunities in the northeastern region, the statement said. While Ambani pledged Rs 75,000 crore over the next five years, targeting agriculture, telecommunications, digital services and local enterprise development, Adani announced an additional Rs 50,000 crore investment over the next decade. Agarwal announced more than Rs 30,000 crore worth of investment in the Northeast, the statement said.
