Northeast has something to offer to each Start-Ups & aspiring entrepreneurs : Dr Singh

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh said that 4-day North East festival beginning November 23, 2019, at Varanasi will offer an opportunity for the fusion of the two rich cultures of Ganga and Brahmaputra represented by Varanasi and North East respectively. He said that Varanasi is a holy city and it is a unique opportunity to have this event organised  at Varanasi.

Dr Singh his expressed happiness over the fact that North East culture is being showcased on the banks of Ganga and said that this would also bring India’s cultural diversities together and help people across India to understand what Northeast is all about. He was addressing  the inaugural function of 4-day ‘Destination North East’ Festival. Veteran cine star Zeenat Aman, former cricketer R P Singh, and several other celebrities of the world of films, music and sports were also present on the occasion.

The festival has been organised by the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) led by a team of senior officers headed by Secretary DoNER Inder Jit Singh and Secretary North East Council, K Moses Chalai. It has been organised at IIT BHU grounds, Varanasi. The previous editions of ‘Destination North East’ were held in Delhi and Chandigarh. “Destination North East” 2019 is providing live experience to the audience. All the eight North Eastern States are participating at the event along with their respective handicrafts, handloom, organic products and cultural troupes, according to a PIB release.

Dr  Singh said that North East provides unexplored avenues to youth from all over India. He said Northeast has something to offer to each of the young Start-Ups and aspiring entrepreneurs from all over India and therefore it is fast emerging as the favorite destination for youth from all over India. This will help in curbing youth exodus, he said. He said that youth should explore the opportunity of Business to Business sessions being held during the festival.

The DoNER Minister said that North East model of development has today become a reference point for replication in other parts of India. There is so much to learn from North East. He said that some states like Sikkim have GDP that most of the other states don’t have. He spoke about the citrus fruit park in Mizoram. He added that young entrepreneurs are also travelling to North East to find new avenues of employment. He also mentioned about “Venture fund” for start-ups introduced by DoNER ministry.

Dr Singh said that Ministry of DoNER has taken various steps for the development of region. He said that development of peripheral states is the focus of Government since PM Narendra Modi took charge in 2014. He said that Prime Minister Modi s himself visited Northeast more than 30 times during his first term. He added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the meeting of North Eastern Council after 40 years by a PM i.e. after Shri Morarji Desai.

Speaking about the initiatives for Northeast, the Minister said that connecting North east with the rest of country is the priority of Modi Government. Various steps have been taken to boost rail, air and road connectivity, he added. Dr Singh said that budget to North east has been increased. A train has been started from Itanagar to New Delhi i.e. Arunachal Express. He added that a train will soon be flagged off to Bangladesh from North East. He also spoke about Sikkim Airport.