New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday described the North-East as a priceless jewel of Indian culture and said that the region has immense potential to attract global attention, especially from a tourism perspective.
Speaking at the North-East Students’ & Youth Parliament, organised by the Student Experience in Inter-State Living (SEIL) here, Shah praised the youth of the North-East for having the highest IQ in India and noted that the region is home to some of the most hard-working tribes, a Home Ministry statement said.
Shah acknowledged that despite its many unique qualities, the North-East fell behind in development due to a time when insurgency and separatism were fuelled by creating various illusions and disputes.
He pointed out that violence, bandhs, drugs, blockades, and regionalism fragmented the region, causing a divide not only between the North-East and the rest of the country but also among the states within the region. As a result, the North-East faced a 40-year delay in development, with terrorism and separatist groups being the primary obstacles during this period.
He said that whenever his party came to power, it always prioritised the North-East.
Emphasising that the greatest achievement of the Modi government was reducing the distance between the North-East and the rest of India, Shah announced that by 2027, all state capitals in the North-East will be connected by rail, air, and road networks.
He added that Prime Minister Modi not only enhanced physical connectivity between the North-East and the rest of India but also worked to bridge the emotional divide.
Shah stated that the North-East is now experiencing peace. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 11,000 incidents of violence in the region, whereas from 2014 to 2024, this number decreased by nearly 70 percent, dropping to 3,428.
He said that there is a 70 percent reduction in the deaths of security forces and an 89 percent reduction in civilian deaths.
Shah stated that the development of any region is not possible without peace, as peace is a fundamental precondition for progress. Shah highlighted the significant benefits the North-East has gained from space technology, with around 110 schemes being implemented through the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC).
Shah remarked that while the Student Parliament is a commendable event, it should not be an isolated occurrence. Instead, a system should be established to bridge the Student Parliament with other organisations and Vidyarthi Prishad, ensuring that all youth organizations contribute to the nation’s strength.
He lauded the Students’ Experience in Inter-State Living (SEIL) for its role in emotionally connecting the North-East with the rest of the country. He highlighted that today, over 4,000 families across the country are hosting children from the North-East, engaging with them through SEIL, which he described as having unmatched strength. Shri Shah credited the Vidyarthi Prishad for creating a sense of organizational dedication, which has allowed initiatives like SEIL to continue successfully for so many years.
