Northeast key to ‘Act East’: Dr Jitendra Singh

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Tourism
14-August, 2018 17:21 IST
First project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme ‘North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom’ in Manipur inaugurated today

Major Restoration, reconstruction and development works taken up under the project at a cost of nearly Rs.69 Crore

The Governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma A. Heptulla inaugurated the project “Development of North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom” implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India at a function held at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, Manipur today. The project is the first project to be completed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Government of India. The Project was inaugurated in the presence of Shri N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri K.J. Alphons, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism, State Ministers of Manipur and Smt. Rashmi Verma, Union Tourism Secretary.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Najma A. Heptulla drew the attention of the Government to the huge potential of the tourism industry of the state which comes in the form of culture, sports, arts, ecology, history, handloom and handicrafts.

A message from the Prime Minster, Shri Narendra Modi was also read out by the Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism Shri K.J. Alphons stating that tourism will bring the people of the country together and it will serve in cultural growth and bring prosperity to the country. In his message, the Prime Minister further said that tourism is an engine of growth through job creation which will ultimately eradicate poverty.

Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism, Shri K.J. Alphons in his speech congratulated the Government of Manipur for the commendable work in tourism sector of the State and suggested to come up with good projects and expressed his willingness to be generous on the projects to be taken up in North East.

The Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N Biren Singh in his remarks proposed 3 more projects for development and strengthening of eco, ethnic and sports tourism at Loktak Lake, Mapithel Dam and Shadu Chiru. He also expressed his happiness on the progress of Kangkhui cave tourism project.

The Swadesh Darshan scheme is one of the flagship schemes of Ministry of Tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner. The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 70 projects for Rs.5708.88 Crore to 29 States and UTs under the Scheme. 30 projects / major components of these projects are expected to be completed this year.

The project which was inaugurated today in Manipur was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in September 2015 for Rs.72.30 Crores. The project covers two sites i.e. Kangla Fort and Khongjom. Kangla Fort is one of the most important historic and archaeological site of Manipur located in the heart of the Imphal city. Kangla has a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Manipur. The old Govindajee Temple, outer and inner moat and other relics are perfect reflections of the rich art and architectural heritage of Manipur. Under this project, Ministry has carried out works like Restoration & Improvement of Outer & Inner Moat and Rejuvenation of Sacred Ponds; Reconstruction of Old Rampart; Sound and Light Show, Construction of Rock Garden, Utility Block; Audio Guide, Eco Friendly Conveyance, Development of Crafts Houses and Parking on Naga Nullah; Polo Gallery; Reception and Ticket Counter. The above work has been carried out at a cost of Rs. 63.90 Crore. Khongjom is the place where the last war of resistance of Anglo Manipur War of 1891 was fought. Under the project a Pedestrian bridge and rejuvenation of Kombirei Lake has been carried out for Rs.4.89 Crore.

Development of Tourism in North Eastern Region is prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the region. The Ministry is developing the tourism infrastructure in the region under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD). Together under both the schemes Ministry has sanctioned 15 projects covering all North Eastern states for Rs.1301.47 Crores.

The Ministry is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the region. The efforts of Ministry have shown positive results and the Foreign tourist arrivals in the region has shown an upward trend over the years. The region received a total of 1.69 lakh foreign tourist visits during 2017 as against 1.45 lakh in 2016 registering a growth of 16.7% over 2016. The Domestic Tourist Visits reached to 95.47 lakhs in the year 2017 against 77.71 lakhs registering impressive double digit growth of 22.8% over 2016. The increased number of tourists in turn has created better employment opportunity for the local population in the region.

A number of facilities like Tourist Facilitation Centres, Interpretation Centres, better last mile connectivity, heliports, wayside amenities region, SEL Shows, Eco Log Huts, Rope Way, Golf Course, theme parks etc. are being developed up in the region under the above schemes to enhance the experience of tourists when they visit the region. Ministry is also dedicatedly promoting North Eastern Region by showcasing its varied attractions, uniqueness in terms of natural beauty and culture in international and domestic markets. The Ministry organises International Travel Mart every year in one of the North eastern state with objective of providing platform to these sates to showcase its tourism potential to perspective international and domestic buyers and opportunity to interact with them. This year the 7th Edition of ITM is scheduled to be held in November 2018 in Agartala, Tripura.

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The Governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma Heptulla inaugurating the ‘Development of North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom projects’ under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, in Imphal, Manipur on August 14, 2018. The Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Shri Alphons Kannanthanam, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh, the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Smt. Rashmi Verma and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma Heptulla lighting the lamp at the inauguration of the ‘Development of North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom projects’ under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, in Imphal, Manipur on August 14, 2018. The Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Shri Alphons Kannanthanam, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh, the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Smt. Rashmi Verma and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Minister of State for Tourism (I/C), Shri Alphons Kannanthanam addressing at the inauguration of the ‘Development of North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom projects’ under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, in Imphal, Manipur on August 14, 2018. The Governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma Heptulla, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh and other dignitaries are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry for Development of North-East Region
11-September, 2018 17:03 IST
Nagaland Higher & Technical Education Minister Shri Temjen Imna Along calls on MoS Dr Jitendra Singh

The Nagaland Minister for Higher & Technical Education, Shri Temjen Imna Along called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, here today. During the meeting, Shri Along discussed various issues related to setting up of new educational projects in Nagaland and related to the technical and medical educational facilities. The Nagaland Minsiter said that the state wants to promote higher education avenues for youth and wants to become a hub for educational facilities.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that development of North Eastern region is on the priority of the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that the Prime Minister has made several visits to North Eastern states, which shows the importance that Government accords to the peripheral states. He added that he will take up the issues raised by the Nagaland Minister with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

Shri Singh said that education plays an important role in the development of youth of the country. He added that educational facilities have played an important role in the peripheral states such as North East and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The migration of youth from the North East in search of job opportunities has come down in the recent past, he added. He also mentioned about the ‘Kashmir Super 30’ initiative of Indian Army, through which the students from weaker sections of society in J&K have made to the prestigious IITs and NITs. The energies of youth need to be channelized in right direction and education is an important tool of it, specially in the insurgency and conflict-hit areas, he added. The Minister said that accreditation conditions for educational institutes in North Eastern states should be made as per the peculiar topographic conditions there.

The DoNER Minister informed that an exclusive ‘NITI Forum for North-East’ has been set up by the Government recently which has been tasked to identify various constraints on the way of accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the North East Region of the country and to recommend suitable interventions for addressing identified constraints. The first meeting of the NITI Forum was held on 10th April, he added. The Minister said that Government is committed to the development of North East and will assist the states in every possible manner.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry for Development of North-East Region
14-October, 2018 17:25 IST
Northeast tourism reached new heights in 4 years, says DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that Northeast tourism has reached new heights in the last four years and this has been possible because of special thrust and impetus given by the Union government, with the direct indulgence of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Interacting with the members of a young Start-Up group here today, after launching the Northeast Tourism app developed by them, Dr Jitendra Singh said, fast-track progress in providing connectivity to distant areas in the region has inspired tourists from far and wide to look forward to Northeast as a favourite holiday destination. In addition, he said, the Ministry of DoNER undertook a campaign showcasing Northeast across the country, which has also generated unusual interest among potential tourists.

Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that some of the Northeast destinations like Gangtok, Sikkim and Shillong, Meghalaya have started attracting such heavy rush of tourists that during the last two years, there have been occasions when tourists were advised by the tour-operators to postpone their trip by a few days till the rush weaned away. Not only this, he said, "Home Tourism” has picked up in a big way, resulting in new avenues of livelihood for the local populace, including the youth.

The Majuli island in Assam, Dr Jitendra Singh informed, is being developed as a World Heritage tourist resort and several scenic spots in Arunachal Pradesh have suddenly come into focus because now there is a rail link with Arunachal Pradesh and soon an Airport will also come up at Itanagar.

The most impartial and objective evidence testifying the upsurge in tourist inflow, Dr Jitendra Singh said, can be obtained from the fact that private tour-operators from far flung States of South India are also now planning Vacation itineraries for Northeast.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the Northeast outreach by the Ministry of DoNER has touched chord with the youth across the country.

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