UNION MINISTER FOR NORTHEAST INAUGURATES
CHAPCHAR KUT FESTIVAL
Union Minister for
Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) Dr. C.P Thakur formally
inagurated the Chapchar Kut Festival at Aizawl today. Speaking
on the occasion Dr. C.P Thakur said that the development of the
Northeastern states of India remains the top priority of the Government
of India. The Minister informed that special developmental projects
will be undertaken by his Ministry in this regard with due emphasis
on the local infrastructure and the availability of resources.
Talking about Mizoram, he said traditional handloom, Horticulture,
Fishery, cottage industries, medicinal plants cultivation were
the short-listed areas where the Ministry will coordinate with
the State government to kick-start the local economy.
While delivering
his greetings on the occasion of Chapchar Kut, one of the main
folk festivals of Mizoram Dr. C.P. Thakur said that the strength
of the Mizo people lies in their rich culture and heritage. He
said that Mizoram has done exceptionally well in the field of
literacy and is thus one of the most literate states in the country.
The Union Minister urged the local populace especially the younger
generation to come forward and add to development of Mizoram and
assured all possible help and cooperation from the central government
for the purpose.
Earlier while addressing
a press conference at Press Information Bureau Media Centre at
Aizawl, he said that steps should be undertaken to end the dependency
of Mizoram on the central government for funds and revenue generating
sources should be identified locally to boost the local economy.
In his speech Shri
Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of Mizoram welcomed the Chief Guest
Dr. C.P. Thakur for coming to the state and added that the state
looks forward to DoNER for overall development. He said that Mizoram
has been one of the most peaceful states in the Northeastern region
of India and hoped that the government of India will continue
rendering its support and help to the people of Mizoram in all
their future endeavors related to the progress of the state. This
year’s Chapchar Kut celebrations were organized by the Central
Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Department of Art and Culture and
Tourism Department. Shri Vanlal Zawma, Member of Parliament, Lok
Sabha, Shri Lalhmingliana, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha,
Shri H.V. Lalringa, Chief Secretary, Government of Mizoram along
with other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Cultural teams including
performers from all around Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya
and Assam presented several cultural programmes highlighting the
rich cultural heritage of the Chin, Kuki Mizo society.
Earlier, on 13th
March Dr. C.P. Thakur inaugurated the country’s first state owned
and constructed airport terminal building at Lengpui in Mizoram.
Constructed at a cost of Rs.118.97 Crores the airport offers landing
facilities to Airbus A-320 type aircraft.
