GUWAHATI: As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army is organizing Purvottar Swabhiman Utsav to celebrate the contribution of Northeastern region in nation building. As part of the two-day mega event, a Panel Discussion was conducted at the Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati on Sunday, which was attended by Meghalaya's Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and many other prominent personalities.
Welcoming the eminent speakers, Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command exuded confidence that this seminar will take all closer to the goal of a prosperous North-East playing a pivotal role in nation building.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta delivered the keynote address and emphasized on how this transformational development in the Northeastern States will propel the entire nation to progress, stated a press release.
The discussion was set in motion by Wasbir Hussain and the Role of the North-East region in India's Freedom Struggle was brought out by former chairman of UPSC Prof David Reid Syiemlieh. Lt Gen Subrata Saha (Retd) and Lt Gen PC Nair spoke about the immense contribution of Indian Army and the saga of Assam Rifles in integrating the North-East with the mainstream.
The Education & Law Minister of Manipur, Th Basanta Singh, highlighted the outstanding contribution by the State in the arena of sports with sportspersons having brought laurels to the State and the country in international sporting events. The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma elucidated methods to achieve greater integration of the Northeastern region with the national mainstream and enhance tourism in the region, thereby enhancing economic prosperity.
Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla emphasized the critical role of this region in India's Act East Policy.
Other eminent speakers like Air Marshal AK Gogoi (Retd) from the North Eastern Council, Anshul Gupta, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) and Jaideep Saikia spoke about future perspectives, NFR's role in the socio-economic development and security matrix, respectively.
Lt Gen KC Panchanathan, the General Officer Commanding 101 Area, thanked the dignitaries, speakers and the attendees and expressed confidence that the panel discussion achieved its stated objectives.
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