PM Modi inaugurates first 'Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav' in Delhi, interacts with artisans

Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the threeday Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in DelhiThe event which will conclude on Sunday celebrates the vibrant culture of Northeast India It aims to provide a dynamic platform to showcase the regionrsquos textile sector traditional craftsmanship tourism potential and unique Geographical Indication GItagged products news agency ANI reportedDuring the inauguration PM Modi visited various pavilions and interacted with artisans and craftsmen highlighting the cultural richness and economic potential of the regionUnion Minister for Communications and the Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia was also present at the ceremony ANI reportedAccording to a release this cultural festival will highlight the vast cultural tapestry of Northeast India bringing together a range of traditional arts crafts and cultural practicesTo promote economic opportunities in areas such as traditional handicrafts handlooms agricultural products and tourism the Mahotsav will feature a variety of events ANI reportedNortheast region was not given much attention earlier PM ModiThe festival includes artisan exhibitions Grameen haats statespecific pavilions and technical sessions on key areas crucial to the development of the Northeastern regionThe festival will also host key events over the three days including an investors roundtable and buyerseller meetings designed to be a unique opportunity to build and strengthen networks partnerships and joint initiatives to boost the regionrsquos economic growthAshtalakshmi Mahotsav will feature a design conclave and fashion shows displaying the rich handloom and handicraft traditions of Northeast India on the national stageHighlighting the regionrsquos rich cultural heritage the festival will also showcase vibrant musical performances and indigenous cuisines from Northeast IndiaAsserting that previous governments measured development against votes PM Modi said that the progress of the Northeast was not given much attention earlier owing to the regionrsquos smaller population and fewer votes news agency PTI reportedHe stated that the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first to create a dedicated ministry for the region and also earmarked 20 per cent of every ministryrsquos budget for its developmentGuwahati Shillong Imphal Itanagar and Aizawl to be new beacons of growthIn the last decade we have seen a wonderful journey of the development of the Northeast but it was not easy We have taken every possible step to connect the northeastern states with Indias growth story For a long time we have seen how development was weighed against votes Northeastern states had fewer votes and seats so previous governments did not pay attention to the development of the region he claimed according to PTIPM Modi said he strongly believes that the coming days belong to Eastern India and the Northeast Like Mumbai Hyderabad Chennai and Bengaluru cities in the region such as Guwahati Shillong Imphal Itanagar and Aizawl will become new beacons of growth With its vibrant culture and dynamic people the Northeast holds immense potential to propel Indiarsquos growth he saidThe prime minister also noted that during the last decade his government had worked to bridge the gap between Delhi and the lsquoDilrsquo of the Northeast reported PTIUnion ministers made 700 visits to the Northeast in the last decade and the government has been connecting the region with the trinity of emotion economy and ecology he addedThe prime minister also remarked that in the past 100 to 200 years the Western world had risen and had influenced the world on every level ndash economically socially and politicallyHe said India had similarly witnessed the influence of the West in its own growth story However the 21st century belongs to the East particularly Asia and India Modi expressed his firm belief that in the future Indias growth story will also belong to Eastern India and the Northeast in particularBorder disputes addressed amicably PM ModiThe Northeast has also started making strides in technologyrelated startups service centres and industries like semiconductors with thousands of youth working in these sectors he stated adding that the region is becoming a major centre for education and skills developmentModi further noted that there has been a growing enthusiasm for investment in the Northeast and over the last decade everyone has witnessed the remarkable development of the regionHe acknowledged that the journey of the last decade had not been easy but the government had taken every possible step to connect the states of the Northeast with Indias growth storyThe prime minister said that during the last decade many historic peace agreements had been signed in the Northeast and the border disputes between states had been addressed amicably This has significantly reduced violence in the regionThe AFSPA Armed Forces Special Powers Act had been removed from many districts he said adding Together we should write a new future for Ashtalakshmi and the government is taking every step for thisThe prime minister said the event had made Delhi glisten with the diverse shades of the Northeast displaying the regionrsquos potential to the country and the worldSpeaking on various aspects of the region he said India is proud of Sikkim being the first fully organic state in the country The rice bamboo spices and medicinal plants grown in the Northeast testify to the power of agriculture in the region which has a key role in providing solutions to Indiarsquos aspirations for healthy lifestyles and nutritionTerming the event as unique and the first of its kind Modi said it would open doors to significant investment opportunities in the Northeast providing a great opportunity for farmers workers craftsmen and investors from across the worldHe remarked that the exhibitions at the event displayed the diversity and potential of the Northeast congratulating and extending his best wishes to the organisers of the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav the people of Northeast India and the investorsHe also emphasised that the products of the Northeast should reach every market in the world and in this direction products from every district are being promoted under the One District One Product campaignWith ANI and PTI inputs