President Droupadi Murmu launched a slew of projects during her whirlwind visit to Assam, her first visit to the State after becoming India’s President.
She started off her tour in the State by inaugurating a supercomputer facility and laboratory for the design and development of high-power microwave components at IIT Guwahati besides a medical college and hospital at Dhubri and laid the foundation stone of a National Institute of Virology on Day One.
In her speech, the President stated that research and innovation at educational institutions, particularly those engaged in higher education, is critical. She pointed out that India has a long historical tradition of research and knowledge creation and this needs to be further strengthened to make India lead research and innovation in the 21st century.
The President said that the North Eastern region of India is making rapid strides towards development and the region is making extraordinary efforts to provide high quality healthcare and education systems to the people.
She noted that the Government of Assam is setting an example by providing support to IIT Guwahati to set up an advanced multispecialty hospital. She said that it will serve as an example for other esteemed institutes in the country to undertake similar initiatives.
Murmu said that various projects of Central and State governments and the consequent progress of the region will set a foundation for making India a technologically advanced nation and an inclusive society.
Later in the day, the President, in a reception hosted in her honour, said that the Government of India has given special priority to the development of the Eastern and North Eastern regions of the country. “It has adopted the Act East Policy which has linked South East Asia with the North Eastern region, including Assam. With this change, the development of Assam is getting an international dimension,” she said.
The President said that there is immense potential for the tourism industry in Assam. “Assam attracts tourists because of its enchanting destinations like ‘Manas’ and ‘Kaziranga’.” The Central and State governments are preparing a better eco-system for the development of tourism,” added President Murmu.
On the second day of her visit, she laid foundation stones for various projects of the Government of Assam as well as the Union ministries of road transport & highway, petroleum & natural gas, and railways.
These include inauguration of Railhead Depot of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. at Moinarbond, Silchar and two highway projects; laying of foundation stones for – 100 model Secondary Schools in the tea garden areas of Assam; 3,000 model Anganwadi centres; two highway projects; and modern Cargo-cum-Coaching Terminal at Agyathuri, Guwahati. The President flagged off a train from Guwahati to Lumding Pass up to Shokhuvi (Nagaland) and Mandipathar (Meghalaya).
The President said that the North Eastern region is rich in natural resources. She noted that Assam contributes 13% of India’s total crude oil production and 15% of its total natural gas production comes from the North Eastern region. She expressed confidence that the state-of-the-art depot at Moinarbond will help in meeting the petroleum products requirements of the Barak Valley as well as that of Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram.
The President said that the Central Government is giving special attention on road and railway connectivity in all the North Eastern States including Assam. She expressed confidence that various projects related to road and railways of which foundation stones laid/inaugurated will increase tourism opportunities apart from enhancing trade and transportation in the region.
The President said that the safety and all-round development of women and children is the sign of a civilised society. She lauded the Assam Government for opening 3,000 Model Anganwadi Centres. She expressed her happiness after laying the foundation stones for 100 Model Secondary Schools meant to provide better education for the children of tea garden workers.
