The 37th Statehood Day celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh was graced by Smt Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, who also attended a civic reception hosted in her honour by the State Government in Itanagar on February 20, 2023.
In her address, the President emphasised the significance of Arunachal Pradesh as the largest state in the North-Eastern Region in terms of area and as a border state, from a strategic and geographical perspective. She stressed that good infrastructure is crucial for the national security and economic development of the state. The President was pleased to note that the Central Government has sanctioned schemes worth more than 44,000 crore rupees for the development of the National Highway Infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh. She also highlighted that the commissioning of the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station has made Arunachal Pradesh a power surplus state. Additionally, she expressed confidence that the recently inaugurated all-weather Donyi Polo Airport would enhance the state’s connectivity and provide a boost to trade and tourism.
The President emphasised that the development of women is crucial for achieving an inclusive society, and was delighted to learn that women make up approximately 47 percent of Panchayat representatives in Arunachal Pradesh. She noted the success of women in the state across various fields, and expressed confidence that women throughout the country would take inspiration from individuals such as Anshu Jamsenpa, the first woman to summit Mount Everest twice in five days, and Tage Rita Takhe, who promotes women’s participation in enterprise and brings local agro-based products of Arunachal Pradesh to the international market.
According to Murmu, Arunachal Pradesh is the first place in India where the sun rises, and the state’s diverse cultural heritage and unity in diversity inspire us all. She believes that Arunachal Pradesh’s society is a microcosm of India.
The President also recognised the rich biodiversity of the state, with its mountains, dense forests, lakes, waterfalls, and flora and fauna. She was pleased to learn that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has adopted the “Pakke Declaration” to tackle climate change and conserve biodiversity.
She acknowledged the crucial role of the entire North Eastern Region, including Arunachal Pradesh, in the development of India. She was pleased to learn that several G-20 meetings are being held in the North Eastern states, and expressed confidence that these meetings would provide a significant boost to the culture and tourism of the North Eastern states and create investment opportunities in the region.
Source: PIB
