PM’s address at the Viksit Bharat – Viksit North East in Arunachal Pradesh
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 09 Mar, 2024

Jai Hind! Jai Hind! Jai Hind! Governors and Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet, ministers of states, fellow MPs, all MLAs, all other public representatives and my dear brothers and sisters of all these states! A national festival of ‘Viksit Rajya Se Viksit Bharat’ is underway with full fervour across the nation. Today, I have the privilege of joining hands with all the states of the North East in this celebration of a ‘Viksit ( developed) North East’. You have all gathered here in great numbers, and I am delighted to see such a turnout. Additionally, thousands of individuals from Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura are also participating in this program through technology. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you for committing to the development of the North East. While I have visited Arunachal Pradesh many times before, today feels distinctly special. Everywhere I look, I see a sea of people, including a remarkable number of mothers and sisters, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Friends, Our vision for the development of the North East has been comprehensive – envisioning it as the ‘Ashta Lakshmi’. Our Northeast is going to be a robust link in Bharat’s trade, tourism, and other engagements with South Asia and East Asia. Today, projects worth over Rs 55,000 Crore have been either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid here simultaneously. 35,000 poor families in Arunachal Pradesh have been provided with pucca houses, while thousands of families in Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura have gained access to tap connections. Additionally, numerous projects related to connectivity are being initiated and inaugurated across different states in the North East. The development of essential infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads, railways, schools, hospitals, and tourism has become a guarantee of development for every state in the North East. The investment made in the development of the North East over the last 5 years is nearly four times higher than what the Congress or previous governments allocated earlier. This signifies that the progress achieved by us in 5 years would have taken the Congress 20 years to accomplish. Would you have been willing to wait for 20 years? Should we have waited that long? Do you believe this progress should continue at an accelerated pace? Are you content with what Modi’s government has accomplished? Friends, With the North East in focus, our government started Mission Palm Oil. Today, the first oil mill has been inaugurated under this mission. This endeavour aims not only to make Bharat self-reliant in edible oil production but also to bolster the income of farmers in this region. I express my gratitude to the farmers of the North East for their enthusiastic participation in palm cultivation following the launch of the Palm Mission, which holds promise for a brighter future. Friends, You often hear about Modi’s guarantee, but what does it truly signify? Come to Arunachal, despite its distance, and witness firsthand how Modi’s guarantee basically works. Now, consider this: back in 2019, it was here that I laid the foundation stone of the Sela Tunnel. Remember? That was in 2019. And now, has it been constructed or not? Has it been completed or not? Is this not a testament to the guarantee I provided? Is this not a solid assurance? Similarly, in 2019, I also laid the foundation stone of the Donyi Polo Airport. And today, is this airport not delivering exceptional services? So, tell me… if I had undertaken these initiatives in 2019, some may have speculated that it was merely an election stunt. But tell me, was it for the elections or for you? Was it for Arunachal or not? Regardless of the time, the year, or the month, my efforts are solely for the citizens, for the people, for you. And when such guarantees of Modi are fulfilled, the entire North East echoes with appreciation. The hills resound with affirmation, the rivers murmur with gratitude, and one resounding voice is heard across the nation – “Abki Baar – 400 Paar!” (This time – the NDA government shall surpass 400)! “Abki Baar – 400 Paar!” NDA government – 400 Paar! Let the entire North East resound with enthusiasm – “Abki Baar Modi Sarkar” (this time, the Modi government)! Friends, Just two days ago, the Central Government approved a revamped and expansive version of the Unnati Scheme to foster industrial development in the North East. You have just witnessed a short film detailing its scope. This exemplifies the swift and efficient working style of our government. The notification was issued in a single day, as the guidelines were laid out. And today I am in front of you and calling upon you to take advantage of Unnati Yojana. Within 40-45 hours, the scheme was rolled out with notifications and guidelines. Over the past decade, we have enhanced modern infrastructure, implemented a dozen peace agreements, and resolved several border disputes. Now, the next phase of development entails bolstering the industrial landscape of the North East. The Rs 10 thousand crore Unnati Scheme will unlock new avenues for investment and job creation. The government will facilitate the establishment of new manufacturing sectors and service-related industries. My unwavering focus remains on extending full support to youth venturing into diverse fields such as startups, technology, homestays, and tourism. I extend my heartfelt wishes and congratulations for this scheme, which promises new employment opportunities for the youth across all North Eastern states. Friends, Empowering women in the North East and providing them with new opportunities is a top priority for the BJP government. In support of the women of the North East, our government announced a further reduction of Rs 100 in the price of gas cylinders on International Women’s Day. The initiative to ensure tap water reaches every household in the North East has also made significant progress, and I extend my congratulations to the Chief Minister and his entire team for their efforts. Today, the North East, particularly our Arunachal Pradesh, leads the nation in various development initiatives. Previously, there was a common belief that everything would reach this region at the end. However, today, akin to the sun’s rays reaching this place first, development initiatives are also touching this region first. Today, projects aimed at providing drinking water to 45,000 families in Arunachal Pradesh have been inaugurated. Additionally, numerous lakes have been constructed here under the Amrit Sarovar Abhiyan. Our government has initiated a significant campaign to uplift village women, aiming to make them ‘Lakhpati Didis’. Thousands of sisters from the North East involved in self-help groups have already achieved this status of a ‘Lakhpati Didi’. Our next objective is to empower three crore sisters across the country to become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, thereby greatly benefitting the women, sisters, and daughters of the North East. Friends, You are well aware of the actions of the Congress and its allies amid these endeavours of the BJP government. Instead of focusing on developing modern infrastructure along our borders, the Congress governments were embroiled in corruption scandals. They neglected the development of our border areas and villages, jeopardizing the security of our nation. Keeping the border regions underdeveloped and weakening our own armed forces while depriving our people of facilities and prosperity—this is the work culture of the Congress. Such policies define their approach and conduct. Friends, Sela Tunnel could have been constructed earlier, couldn’t it? However, the priorities and mindset of the Congress were different. They questioned why so much effort and investment should be made when they only had a few seats in Parliament. Modi, on the other hand, doesn’t base his actions on parliamentary representation but rather on the nation’s needs. With a strong central government prioritising national interests, we constructed this tunnel. I urge the youth of our country to visit this tunnel at an altitude of 13,000 feet to witness the remarkable work being done here. Although weather conditions prevent me from reaching Sela today, I promise to visit the tunnel in my third term and to meet you all again. This tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to our people in Tawang, making transportation easier for the locals and boosting tourism in Arunachal. Several such tunnel projects are rapidly progressing in this region. Congress neglected border villages, labelling them as the country’s last villages and leaving them to fend for themselves. We view these villages as the forefront of our nation instead of seeing them as the last villages and initiated the Vibrant Village Programme. Road projects have commenced for approximately 125 border villages, and foundation stones have been laid for employment and tourism-related projects in over 150 villages. We have introduced the PM Janman Yojana to uplift the most backward tribes, with the foundation stones laid for Anganwadi centres in their settlements in Manipur. Additionally, the inauguration of the Sabroom Land Port in Tripura will establish a new transit route, facilitating trade in the North East. Friends, Connectivity and electricity are crucial for both improving lives and facilitating business. Since independence until 2014, only 10,000 kilometres of national highways have been built in the North East over seven decades. Remember this figure. However, in the past ten years, over 6,000 kilometres of national highways have been constructed. I have done almost as much work in one decade as was done in 7 decades. Similarly, around 2,000 kilometres of new railway lines have been laid since 2014 in the North East, and significant progress has been made in the power sector. Work on the Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project in Arunachal and a solar project in Tripura has been started today. The Dibang Dam will soon be the country’s largest dam, marking another achievement for the North East after the longest bridge. Friends, While Modi tirelessly works day and night towards a brighter future for the youth, laying each brick to construct a developed Bharat, there are those who constantly tell me, “Modi ji, don’t work so hard.” Today, I am embarking on programmes across four states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh—in a single day. Despite my efforts, the dynastic leaders of the Congress’s INDI alliance continue to intensify their attacks on Modi. Nowadays, people are questioning, “Who is Modi’s family?” Listen carefully, critics, every family residing in the mountains of Arunachal is declaring, “This is Modi’s family.” These dynastic leaders only prioritize their own families, neglecting areas that have a lower scope for votes. For decades, dynastic governments in the country hindered the development of the North East. Since the North East sends fewer members to Parliament, the Congress’s INDI alliance ignored the region, disregarding the well-being and future of your children. While they focused on their own children’s advancement, they remained indifferent to the struggles faced by your children. They have never and will never care about the condition of your children. However, for Modi, every individual and family is akin to his family. Modi will not rest until essential amenities like pucca houses, free rations, clean drinking water, electricity, sanitation, gas connections, healthcare, and internet access reach every person. Today, when they raise questions on Modi’s family, the nation responds with, “I am Modi’s family! I am Modi’s family!”, as echoed by my brothers and sisters in Arunachal, My family members, Whatever your dream may be, it is Modi’s resolution. Your overwhelming presence here to bless us is deeply appreciated. Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for the remarkable development initiatives across the entire North East region. As we rejoice in this celebration of development, I urge everyone gathered here to take out their mobile phones and turn on the flashlight. This symbolizes our collective celebration for the Sela Tunnel and the strides we are making in development. Look around… what a magnificent sight! Well done! Let this be a gesture of unity and strength for our nation. Everyone take out your mobile phones and turn on the flashlight. Let us all join together in this celebration of development. And to our brothers and sisters in the North East, wherever you may be, I encourage you to join us by turning on the flashlight of your mobile phones. Together, let’s say aloud: Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Keep the flashlight on and say- Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Thank you very much.