Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, August 18 2021: The Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a festival to highlight the socio-cultural, political and economic strength of the country, said Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh today at an "India@75: Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (Seminar-cum-Tree plantation)" programme along Zoumun to Sehken road at Churachandpur.
The programme was organised by the Rural Engineering Department/MSRRDA.
Addressing the seminar held at Mata Community Hall, Mata Village Churachandpur, Biswajit said that Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an intensive, country-wide campaign, focused on people's/citizens' participation and organised under the leadership of Prime Minister of India.
It is a 75 week long programme starting from March 12 last and will continue till August 15, 2023, he added.
The Minister further said, "We have to encourage participation from the public, so that it will help in bringing changes in every locality through the various activities undertaken during the festival .
The Minister continued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his vision of building a new Atmanirbhar Bharat and to realize the vision of a self-reliant country; many developmental schemes have been taken up.
He said SAUBHAGYA is one such scheme, providing power connection to even interior parts of the country.
He said, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was introduced by former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee to bring equality between the villages and cities by enhancing connectivity and bringing equal development.
Biswajit also said that PMGSY has been mostly beneficial for the hill districts.
"We may discuss, criticize or talk of the quality, but to have connectivity is the priority," he said adding that once we have the connectivity, it can always lead to more development.
Biswajit further said, "Atmanirbhar Bharat means building a new India, and we need to build a new Manipur" .
India is made up by all the States and we cannot call India developed, if we leave out any part of the country behind, he said.
As such, the Prime Minister is giving tremendous focus on the North East States be it in sports, road infrastructure, economy, women empowerment, etc, he added.
Biswajit continued that it was a historic event that in recognition of Mary Kom's performance, talents and achievements, she was nominated as Rajya Sabha MP by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Minister said that the tree plantation drive is a meaningful activity as it will help in checking the environmental degradation.
The seminar held at Mata Community Hall was also attended by Churachandpur AC MLA V Hangkhanlian; Chief Engineer, Rural Engineering Department Pantising Thaimei; Addl Chief Engineer, Rural Engineering Department, Kh rajen Singh and department officials, among others.