PM plays football; launches Rs 4000 crore projects in Sikkim, pitches ‘Act East, Act Fast’ vision

PM Narendra Modi poses with young footballers during his visit to Gangtok, Sikkim. PIC/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched development projects worth over Rs 4000 crore in Sikkim while attending the closing ceremony of the state's 50 years of statehood celebrations.

The projects span a wide range of sectors such as infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture, the officials said.

Let's play

PM Modi, earlier in the day, played football with some boys and girls. "Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning! Clearly, an energising football session with these youngsters!" the PM said.

‘Act East, Act Fast'

PM Modi said his government was not only committed to its ‘Act East' policy but was resolved to ‘Act Fast' for the eight northeastern states, which he described as India's ‘Ashtalakshmi' - representing the multifaceted nature of prosperity, wealth, and auspiciousness.

Asserting that tourism was the mainstay of Sikkim's economy, Modi said his government's focus is on boosting the state's connectivity, which would increase tourist inflow. "The northeast, including Sikkim, is India's ‘Ashtalakshmi'. The government is resolved to ‘Act East, Act Fast'," Modi said.

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