![Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh delivering inaugural address, as chief guest, at e-Symposium 2020 organised by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research& Analysis and IIM Shillong, on Friday. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh delivering inaugural address, as chief guest, at e-Symposium 2020 organised by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research& Analysis and IIM Shillong, on Friday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/page5-1-4.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 5: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region, MoS PMO, PP, DoPT, Pensions, Public Grievance, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Northeast is emerging as new business destination of India.
New paradigms will emerge post-COVID, with a potential for new breakthroughs in economy, trade, scientific research and several other diverse areas, catapulting North Eastern Region as the economic hub of the country and a preferred destination for Startups, he said.
Inaugurating e-Symposium 2020 organised by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research& Analysis and IIM Shillong, as chief guest, through video conference, today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the last six years, under the Modi Government, the North Eastern Region has made up for several lapses of the past because for the first time the region received equal attention at par with the other regions of the country. This has not only instilled confidence among the people but also raised the capacity to engage with other parts of India as well as the countries outside, at different levels,he said.
Lamenting the lack of interest of the successive Governments towards the comprehensive development of region in the past, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the initiatives taken by the Modi Government for the comprehensive and holistic development of this region. Be it overcoming the connectivity issues or encouraging enterpreneurship in the region, this Government is fully committed to provide all posssible assistance and support. As can be seen, in the last six years, there has been a significant development in terms of Road, Rail and Air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country, he said. States Like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya which had not seen Railways hitherto are now connected with Railways, he added.
While the Government can play an enabling role, Dr Jitendra Singh urged the institute like IIM Shillong to frame policies and guide the governments, Central as well as States, for the holistic development of the region.
Prior to Dr. Singh, Secretary DoNER Dr. Inderjit Singh, Secretary NEC Mr Moses K Chalai, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Shillong Shri Shishir Bajoria, Member Board of Governors, IIM Shillong Shri Atul Kulkarni, Director IIM Shillong Prof. D P Goyal and Prof Keya Sengupta also spoke on the occasion underlining the scope and need for strategic and development imperatives in the Region.