Mizoram CM meets DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh here today and discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the state.

Dr. Jitendra Singh impressed upon Thanhawla the need for each of the eight north eastern states to develop an individual identity of its own, and to that extent, he suggested that Mizoram has a very bright opportunity to develop itself and earn the distinction of being declared the "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 percent, next only to 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.

Thanhawla brought to the notice of 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 that these projects will be taken up on priority.