Former Assam chief minister and Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said that the Northeast has emerged as the growth engine of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sonowal said PM Modi always compared the Northeast to Ashta Laxmi because of its abundant natural resources.
He said Modi considers the Northeast as the focal point for the nation’s development and has been working tirelessly for the development of the once-neglected region since assuming charge as Prime Minister in 2014.
Attending a felicitation programme in Dibrugarh on Tuesday after the conclusion of the three-day Jan Ashirwad Yatra, Sonowal said that Prime Minister Modi rediscovered the immense potentials and possibilities of Assam and other north-eastern states.
He said that the induction of five ministers from the region in the union cabinet reflects his love and commitment to the people of the northeastern states.
“Narendra Modi is the only Prime Minister who has given the highest importance to the Northeast. Modi not only loves the region but he also respects the Northeast. He wants that the northeast should have a steady growth.
“This is his commitment, dedication, love and affection to the people of Northeast. We are lucky enough that we have got this huge opportunity to work under his great leadership,” he added.
“Modiji refers to the northeastern states as ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ (eight forms of the goddess of wealth) of India. Induction of five ministers from the region in the union cabinet is evident of the Prime Minister’s commitment and sincerity towards the region,” Sonowal said.
He mentioned that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the people of the northeast have witnessed sea changes in the field of transport and communication, infrastructure development, agriculture, education and economy.
“After the misrule and neglect of the Northeast by the Congress government during their 60 years rule, the Modi government in just seven years transformed the entire region,” he said.
“Now the region has emerged as the new growth engine of the country. The region will witness more welfare and developmental works in the coming days,” Sonowal said.