PM Modi grants ST status to Bodos, Karbis and Mikirs

On his recent visit to northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Bodos, Karbis and Mikirs would hence forth be included in the Scheduled Tribes list.

Prime Minister Modi also laid emphasis on organic farming and information technology. He also announced Sikkim as the country's first organic state and asked others to follow it to ensure a healthy future.

Modi also announced an airstrip at Rupshree in Dhubri district bordering Kokrajhar, that it would be upgraded to an airport for both Air Force and civilian use.

In Guwahati, the Prime Minister also unveiled the plaque for the foundation of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIT), Guwahati.

In his address to students of IIT, NIT and central universities of the North-east, the Prime Minister said the 21st century was the century of knowledge.

"He came to IIT Guwahati for the first time especially for the campaign 'Start-up India'. He stated that India has a very talented youth and the country should produce everything here only. The Prime Minister's words were very inspiring," said a student.

"We got good inspiration from the Prime Minister. We are trying to do something good for our country and there is much talent in IIT Guwahati. If good students do not migrate to foreign countries and research here, then it will be very good for our country," said another student.

On his visit to Gangtok city in Sikkim, Prime Minister Modi laid emphasis on the promotion of organic farming.

He declared that Sikkim, which is nestled in the Himalayas, has become the first fully organic state by converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land into sustainable cultivation.

Modi said he hoped that people across the country would adopt organic farming. He also said that there was a need to ensure the farmers got proper guidance in this regard.

"We need to make special arrangements for farmers' guidance to fulfill their requirements and make arrangement for marketing of their products. If a block or a district succeeds then it (organic farming) will spread to adjoining areas automatically," said Prime Minister Modi.

The Centre has specially focused on development related schemes in the Northeast region and the Prime Minister's recent visit gives impetus to this initiative.