| Font Size - |
"The sun kisses India first in Arunachal Pradesh. It is our land of rising sun," he said addressing a public meeting in Itanagar on his first day of his maiden visit to this border state, parts of which China claims are its territory.
Asserting that the UPA government accorded the highest priority to the development of Arunachal Pradesh, Singh expressed confidence that the north eastern state would emerge as one of the best regions of the country.
He announced launching of several schemes, including two power projects at Pare and Dibang, and provision of electricity to every households in the state.
Underlining that a strategy has been evolved by the Centre for all-round development of the State, Singh said the thrust areas would be to establish rail, road and air connectivity, development of infrastructure, education and health care facilities.
"I sincerely hope that like the Sun, Arunachal Pradesh will rise from the East as a new star and become one of the best regions of our country," he said addressing a public meeting in Hindi.
The Prime Minister also announced that Arunachal will get a new greenfield airport in Itanagar besides airports at Passi Ghat, Along, Daporijo, Ziro and Tizu.
Singh noted that a direct helicopter service between Guwahati and Tawang would also begin soon.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the helicopter service which the Centre would be subsidising upto 75 per cent of the operating cost.
He said the Defence Ministry would also upgrade infrastructure at several areas including Pasi Ghat and Vijai Nagar.
A trans-Arunachal highway, a drinking water scheme and a new secretariat building were among other projects announced by Singh, who had visited the state in 1986 as Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission.
He had then visited border area Tawang, where he will not travel this time though he ate a trout fish from there at lunch on Thursday.
Observing that steps would be taken by the Centre in accordance with its broad strategy, the Prime Minister said "it is only through these measures and through all-round development of Arunachal Pradesh that we can ensure that the nation moves ahead in steps towards a glorious future."
He said Arunchal Pradesh was rich in water resources and had immense potential in hydro-power. It could generate Rs 300 crore in revenue annually only through Dibang power project, which he inaugurated on Thursday.
"If we build similar projects across the state, then the state can generate annual revenue of Rs 3,000-4,000 crore. This simple step alone can change the fortune of the state," the Prime Minister said.
Talking about move to ensure electrification of all households in the state, Singh said Rs 550 crore would be spent on utilising solar power, micro hydro projects and grid based power to cover all border villages as well as others.
"This will be done in two years," he said.
He also announced a new rail link between Itanagar and Harmuti to provide more economical and speedy access to destinations outside the state.
The government would build a two-lane trans-Arunachal Pradesh highway covering 1840 km connecting Tawang to Mahadevpur and passing through areas like Bomdi La, Ziro, Daparijo, Along, Pasighat and Changlang.
"This will be a priority project costing Rs 5500 crore. It will be a flagship highway and one of the most important new-road projects to be taken up by my government. In three to four years, we will connect Itanagar with a four-lane highway," he said.
Regarding damages caused by regular floods, he said the Centre would give Rs 400 crore for the reconstruction of areas damaged by flood.
The Planning Commission would also give Rs 265 crore this year for the completion of the incomplete projects.
"I believe that the progress and development of the state like Arunachal Pradesh is the measure of the progress and development of the Nation as a whole. Your progress will strengthen the Nation."
The Prime Minister also visited the Ramkrishna Mission hospital after which he announced grant of Rs 10 crore from his relief fund for the hospital to strengthen the facilities.
He said he would also ask the Planning Commission and DONER (Development of North East Region) to provide Rs 30-40 crore help to the hospital.
"We (the government) will provide educational facilities for your children. We will improve your connectivity. We will help you preserve your unique identity and culture. This is the beauty of our Nation. Our Nation is built on the idea of unity in diversity. This is also what gives us strength as a Nation," Singh told the people of Arunachal.
Thats not the way to counter China. Express sympathy for Tibetans. Make a trip to Taiwan. Invite some US diplomats to India, organize a conference with Australia. Then China will step back a little to set its home right and safe guard Taiwan. Thats the way to deal with China. China is no Pakistan, dont worry about a nucelar war, China is just a regional bully thats all. If we also bare our teeth, China is bound to respect it. And if push comes to shove, US would have to bully China into calming down because a rising China is more of a threat to US than India. Manmohanji, learn, the Chinese follow the Art of War, let us follow Artha Shastra and Kakolukeeyam!!
Though its said "It is never too late"but in this actions and delivering such a statement it is really too late.Congress had never worked with energetically aggressive policy and lacked seriousness in what it said or planned.What is being said by the PM is mere political stunt and certainly he has been forced to say these high sounding words of concern to this state of India.He had lost his credibility and reputation is diminishing which he can never regain through such a statement.Having disappointed and dismayed with his shattered visit to China this overture has no weight.He should have said the same world in bold words before he went to China and then irrespective of Chinese reaction he should have repeated the same to confirm and depict his real intention and concern.Contrary to his language the Chinese inveigh whenever they feel like to show their might.After Itanagar I guess he will be visiting Ladakh where Chinese incrusions have become a routine and much greater claims of our territory are being made.Expostulations never bring favourable results but harsh and open diplomacy does work.China had been taming India since 62 war and these congress guys haven't learnt what a common man of the street knows well or perhaps they don't want to know/acknowledge for they shirk responsibility which may endanger their chair and luxuries.For Indian politicians (especially Congress/UPA)its most lucrative business through which they can make profits thousand times than what they invest,so much money in five years that its more than sufficient for many generations to come.The promises of infrastruture and uplift of the people,he is making now should have been much before and not few months before termination of his office.This sounds cheap vote-bank policy and absolute Party innterest.Hope some time soon India will have some Govt true heartedly-committed for and in the interets of the Nation and citizen.
I admire Sonia Ghandi who despite of being Italian by birth hv accepted the culture and language of her husbands country. She is so loyal to her husband and her family that despite of his death she has not gone back to her origin country and reverted her self. Everybody knows except for her hindu-Bjp/rss detractors who keep casting doubt about her allegience and intentions that she has become and is a compelete hindu bahu of India unlike so many hindu women married to the whites are still not ready to leave their country and their husbands culture and way of life. For greed of power she has never clinged to the PM chair which normally are done by the hindu politicians. When it came to her dignity and integrity she has relinquished the chair of the PM and has put another person to become the PM of the country. Despite of all this all these BJP and RSS stooges are maligning and tarnishing her image in India. Can any BJP leader emulate Sonia Ghandi's grace and integrity??
The above is a typical reply of an Indian paki.
That's true.
That's true.
I trust you have made that clear in no uncertain terms, to Hu Jintao and Wen Jabo. China must not spread its eveil hegemonic interest on India's legible land.That is why India must enhance its military strength.
Dear PM, please tell Sonia also it is "our land of rising sun", and she should worry about her land Italy which is struggling among mafia politicians.
| Most Read Articles |
 |