Arunachal Pradesh Governor, Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.), attended the 72nd Plenary of the North Eastern Council in Agartala, Tripura, on December 21st, where he presented an overview of the state’s achievements and outlined the challenges it faces across various sectors.
During the meeting, he detailed the state’s progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, industry, law and order, youth affairs, women’s empowerment, and technology at the NEC forum, while also emphasizing the state’s unwavering commitment to achieving a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor highlighted Arunachal Pradesh as one of India’s most ambitious states, consistently prioritizing the development, growth, and empowerment of its young population. As the nation embarks on the next twenty-five years of the “Amrit Kaal,” he affirmed Arunachal Pradesh’s resolute dedication to contributing to the realization of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
The Governor underscored the state’s remarkable progress in reducing multidimensional poverty, citing a 166% increase in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) since 2015-16 and a substantial 321.8% surge in state-generated revenue since 2014-15. He expressed immense pride in the state’s recognition as a “Front Runner State” on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) scorecard for 2023-2024.
He informed the regional forum about the concerted efforts underway to elevate educational standards within the state. These initiatives encompass strengthening Anganwadis, upgrading government schools, implementing the National Education Policy 2020, and integrating technology through the introduction of smart classrooms and the establishment of “Advance Learning Centers” in districts.
The Governor also emphasized the state’s strategic focus on tourism development, encompassing the development of infrastructure at key tourist destinations, equipping youth with necessary skills as guides and tour operators, and prioritizing effective marketing strategies. He underscored Arunachal Pradesh’s immense potential for fostering eco-tourism, religious tourism, and adventure tourism.
While highlighting progress in the agriculture and allied sectors, the Governor noted that the state currently produces 5,04,801 metric tonnes of cereals, including millets, and a substantial 5,000 MT of Kiwis. He stressed the critical need for support from the Council of Warehouses to facilitate the storage and efficient transportation of cereals and Kiwi products via rail, enabling their marketing across the nation and even facilitating exports.
The Governor highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh is actively nurturing a dynamic startup ecosystem through the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP), actively supporting investments, fostering startup growth, and streamlining the “Ease of Doing Business.” He emphasized that the state’s “UNNATI Scheme” is poised to propel industrial growth while maintaining a strong focus on “Non-Polluting” industries.
The Governor underscored the state’s significant strides in law and order, including the establishment of 14 Mahila Police Stations and the implementation of “Pink Patrolling” initiatives to enhance women’s safety. He also mentioned the implementation of a pilot project in Itanagar utilizing GIS, AI, and ML-based technologies for crime monitoring. He added that the state’s law enforcement personnel have undergone rigorous training on the New Criminal Laws, 2023, and that legal professionals have also received comprehensive training to ensure preparedness for these legislative changes.
He highlighted the remarkable achievements of Arunachal Pradesh women, including six individuals who have successfully scaled Mount Everest. He also acknowledged the outstanding performances of young athletes from the state, who have consistently won medals at national and international levels in Judo, Karate, Wushu, and Badminton. He emphasized the critical need for multidisciplinary sports stadiums and highly qualified coaches to prepare youth for national and international competitions, a matter he has previously raised with the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Addressing social issues, the Governor acknowledged the significant contributions of Arunachal Pradesh women in education, sports, social welfare activities, and entrepreneurship. He cited numerous success stories of Self-Help Groups actively engaging in rehabilitating youth affected by drug abuse, providing care for special children (including those with autism, disabilities, and orphans), and fostering entrepreneurship. He also noted a significant increase in women’s participation in political activities.
Looking towards 2047, the Governor envisioned Arunachal Pradesh as a leader in technology and innovation, with growth harmoniously integrated with environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship. He mentioned the ongoing efforts to automate all data at the district level to facilitate comprehensive analysis and ensure accurate updates.
While acknowledging the challenges that persist, including financial inclusion and workforce capacity, the Governor stated that the state is actively pursuing initiatives akin to Mission Karmayogi to enhance skills at the grassroots level.
The Governor expressed his sincere gratitude to the Union Government and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) for their consistent support to Arunachal Pradesh through the NEC. He emphasized the crucial role of the NEC as a knowledge hub for the North Eastern Region in addressing these challenges and facilitating the achievement of development goals.
