Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 51 billion in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, he praised the state’s patriotism and hospitality, calling it the “pride of Mother India.”

Marking the first day of Navratri, the Prime Minister said his visit was significant for three reasons—the occasion of Maa Shailputri worship, the launch of next-generation GST reforms and GST Savings Festival, and the inauguration of multiple projects across power, connectivity, tourism and health sectors.

He highlighted that while Arunachal Pradesh receives the first rays of the sun, development had long been delayed due to neglect by previous governments. He criticised earlier dispensations for sidelining the Northeast and noted that since 2014, his government had prioritised the region’s progress under the principle of “Nation First.”

Modi said Union Ministers have visited the Northeast over 800 times in the past decade, with himself making more than 70 visits. He emphasised that the government has significantly raised the region’s budgetary allocation, pointing out that Arunachal Pradesh received only Rs 60 billion from central taxes over 10 years under the previous regime, compared with over Rs 1 trillion in the same period under his government.

Calling the eight Northeastern states the “Ashtalakshmi” of India, Modi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to improving ease of living, healthcare, education, connectivity and business in the region. He cited projects such as the Sela Tunnel as symbols of Arunachal’s rapid progress.

News source: PIB