Northeast Is The Heart And Soul Of India: VP Dhankhar
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
- Oct 05, 2024
- 408
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said the Northeast is the heart and soul of India and urged the media to promote the region's potential in tourism and development.
He said the Northeast is not just a geographical region but a vibrant amalgamation of cultures, traditions and natural beauty that reflects the essence of India.
Delivering the keynote address at a media conference in New Delhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted the transformative impact of the government's 'Act East Policy' and the important role of media in shaping the national narrative.
"Even if New Zealand, Switzerland and Scotland are put together, they will be outshone by the beauty of the Northeast. Every state in the region is a paradise for visitors, tourists and locals," he said.
The Vice President emphasised the significant progress made in improving connectivity, calling it a game changer for the region.
The number of airports has doubled. The waterways have expanded twenty-fold, attracting huge interest and investment from across the country." Dhankhar also highlighted the inclusion of Assamese among the 11 classical languages of India along with Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit.
"This designation has a positive impact, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of our country," he said.
He also referred to the region's rich spiritual and natural heritage, including the iconic Kamakhya temple and the world-famous Kaziranga National Park. "Where do you get blessings? Kamakhya. Where do you see a sanctuary like this? Kaziranga."
Apart from this, he praised the vibrant culture, great food and energy of the people of the Northeast. He said, "I cannot describe in words what kind of cultural celebration I saw there, the Northeast is the heart and soul of India." The Vice President said that the Act East policy will not be limited to the country's borders, but will go beyond India and promote deeper ties with South-East Asian countries.
The Vice President pointed to the increasing connectivity from the Northeast to Cambodia, which will soon make travel possible, where the iconic Angkor Wat temple is being restored with the efforts of the Government of India.
He said, "This policy will prove to be a game changer, it will create deeper cultural and economic ties with the region. Dhankhar also drew parallels with Kashmir. "Kashmir is also a wonderful place which must be enjoyed and celebrated," he said.
He recalled, "In the 1990s, during my tenure in the Union ministry, I visited Srinagar and there were hardly 20 people on the road. Last year, over 2 crore people visited Jammu and Kashmir as tourists. This is a testimony to the transformational journey of our nation."
Further, he said, "Tourism can change the entire scenario of the Northeast, boost employment and establish the region as a global tourist hub.