NE MP Forum Summit in Gangtok “Without peace nothing is possible”: CM

Gangtok: In the Summit of North East Members of Parliament Forum held at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok on February 12, keynote address was delivered by Sikkim Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling.

At the outset he said, “the theme you have chosen for this summit ‘Ushering in people centric progress and development through peace’ is very apt and we welcome it. Without peace nothing is possible”.

He continued: “When the people of Sikkim mandated us to form the government with absolute majority in the 1994 election, the State’s socio-economic condition was in tatters. On the formation of the people’s Government on December 12, 1994, we accepted a tough challenge to regain the status of people as the real masters and the fountainhead of all power in a democratic set up offering myself as the first servant - both in the abstract and the absolute sense of the term. After years of struggle, we have been able to transform the democratic fabric, democratic functioning, values and spirit to guide the collective destiny of Sikkim and its people”.

“After we took over, we sought to remedy the lackluster approach to development and make it vibrant by duly introducing professional and practical approach with special emphasis on designing long-term programs based on our natural resources. As a State rich in natural resources, we identified certain areas as our priority sectors for comprehensive development of the State. They include eco-friendly tourism, hydro-power generation, organic farming, horticulture and floriculture, agro-based industry, hospitality services, small scale clean industry including pharmaceutical units on a sustainable basis. The people of Sikkim are aware that we have made conscious effort in developing these sectors and have made much headway at present. We are now looking at the knowledge sector which will include biotechnology in a major way.

Due to our vision, policy and programs Sikkim has emerged as the State with one of the best livelihood opportunities both within and outside the government establishment, with relatively large scale opportunities in the services sector, private sector, eco-tourism, hydro power generation etc.”

Mr. Vincent Pala, Chairman, North East MP’s Forum in his address said, the region is geographically and historically has a character distinct from other states of the country. This forum is for sustainable development of the region and will unite the people with mainstream. Conservation of forest, clean environment and its preservation to protect our resources ought to be a priority he said. NE is a resourceful area of the country and shall play a lead role in economic integration of South East Asia, he added.

“We have to think how north east can develop as a gateway to South East Asia without compromising with the internal and external security of the country”, Mr. Pala said. He stressed on coordination among the sister states in the region.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Member from Sikkim nd General Secretary, NE MP’s Forum Mr. PD Rai in his welcome address said, Sikkim is doing remarkable work in various fields under the leadership of Dr. Pawan Chamling. North Eastern region has faced terrorism and insurgency for decades and because of this it has lost its pace of development. “This summit will help us to recognize our potential as we are rich in flora and fauna and other resources”, Mr. Rai said. He stressed on peace, development and formulation of a common programme among the states of the region. Mr. Mukut Mithi, also spoke on the occasion.