Chief Minister of Mizoram calls on DoNER Minister The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lal Thanhawla called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, here today and discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the State. Dr. Jitendra Singh impressed upon the Chief Minister the need for each of the eight States of North Eastern region to develop an individual identity of its own and to that extent, he suggested that the State of Mizoram has a very bright opportunity to develop itself and earn the distinction of being a Bamboo State of the Indian Union. He said, the high level of production of bamboo from Mizoram can turn out to be a major source of not only furniture but also paper to the rest of the country. This could not only help generate revenue for the State but also create job opportunities for youth outside the State. In this regard, he said, he had already initiated an effort to activate the Bamboo Development Board of government. Another major issue confronting Mizoram, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, is that of connectivity. From 15th April this year, the first ever direct flight from Delhi to Dimapur in Nagaland was started and now on the same lines, he is persuading the Aviation Ministry and the different private airlines to start, if not daily, at least biweekly or tri-weekly direct flights between Delhi and Aizawl in Mizoram, he said. Referring to important contribution made by the people of Mizoram in other cities of the country, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, it is not widely known that Mizoram has a high literacy rate of over 92%, next only to the State of Kerala, and some of the academicians from Mizoram are occupying important positions in the teaching faculty of reputed colleges and universities in the rest of the country. The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lal Thanhawla brought to the notice of Dr. Jitendra Singh, two of his priority projects involving construction of community halls in and around the capital city of Aizawl. To this, the DoNER Minister immediately responded and assured the Chief Minister that these projects will be taken up on priority.
