‘Government to support active participation of civil societies in sustainable development’

NAMSAI: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday reiterated his government’s commitment to foster an environment of ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (public partnership) and ‘Jan Samvad’ (public communication) in the state to nurture and support the active participation of civil societies. Speaking at the inaugural session of the C20 summit here, Khandu said, "We recognize the immense value the civil societies bring to the table—their expertise, local knowledge, and community-driven initiatives—are invaluable assets for inclusive and sustainable development." The chief minister lauded the C20 summit initiative, which he believed would serve as an exceptional platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among civil society organizations from around the world to promote social and economic development with the vision that no one is left behind.

"As we celebrate the completion of nine years of 'Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan' (service, good governance, and welfare of the poor) under the exceptional leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is on a mission to bring about a shared global future for all through the Amrit Kaal initiative," he said. Khandu informed that Arunachal Pradesh has grown by leaps and bounds during the past few years and is seen as the most improved small state in terms of infrastructure.

He credited the ‘unparalleled progress’ of the state to the unwavering dedication of civil society organizations. "In Arunachal Pradesh, our engagement with civil society organizations takes a unique form through the active involvement of community-based organizations (CBOs). Each year, as the state budget is prepared, we ensure that the voices of these CBOs are not only heard but embraced with the utmost respect and consideration. Their inputs provide us with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of various communities, enabling us to design inclusive and effective development strategies," he revealed.

Khandu informed that the state government held an interactive discussion with the CBOs on April 12, which led to the signing of a joint 21-point vision document. "To further deepen the partnership, I had the privilege of leading a delegation of CBOs on a transformative journey to Ahmedabad, the iconic Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat, and New Delhi. This immersive experience served as a catalyst for envisioning a future filled with possibilities and empowering our CBOs to play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of our state," he said. "In a historic meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with members of the CBOs, which ignited a renewed passion and deepened our collective resolve to steer Arunachal Pradesh as the growth engine in India’s Amrit Kaal," he added. Talking about the achievements of the state, Khandu informed that the state GSDP has more than doubled, per capita income increased by over 85 per cent, pace of road construction increased by nine times, hydropower energy generation multiplied manifold, hundreds of new schools, hospitals, and airports were built and upgraded, agriculture and allied sectors received a large boost, eco-tourism was promoted, and sustainable tourism opportunities were promoted, besides maintaining a record recovery rate of over 99 per cent during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. He asserted that the unprecedented growth and development achieved by the state is a testament to the powerful mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas"

"It is the collective endeavours of Team Arunachal that have made possible such transformative changes and paved the way for a greater degree of collaboration and cooperation," he added. The C20 summit at Namsai is being attended by delegates from countries like Armenia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Myanmar, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, the USA, and Venezuela, along with representatives of all community-based organizations in Arunachal Pradesh and civil societies. Around 150 delegates from across 23 countries are participating in the event.

The C20 is one of the official engagement groups of the G20, which provides a platform for civil society organisations (CSO) to voice the aspirations of the people, they said. The summit, with the theme Diversity, Inclusion, and Mutual Respect, is being organised by the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government.

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