Shillong: In a momentous event held on January 16, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu graced a civic reception hosted by the Government of Meghalaya at Raj Bhavan in Shillong. During her address, President Murmu commended Meghalaya, referring to it as one of the “Ashta Laxmi” states, symbolizing prosperity and growth.
Highlighting the cultural significance of the region, the President noted that when Indians turn to the East, they pray to the Sun God, seeking to dispel the shadows of ignorance and evil. President Murmu asserted that the concept of “Bharat Uday” (India’s dawn) is inseparable from “Purvodaya” (rise of the East).
President Murmu praised the government’s concerted efforts in mission mode to enhance connectivity, employment, and infrastructure in the North East. She underlined the evolution of the “Look East” policy into “Act East,” envisioning the northeastern states as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia.
Meghalaya, according to the President, presents immense opportunities in the tourism sector. Expressing satisfaction with ongoing projects for tourism infrastructure development, she highlighted the success of the 11th edition of the International Tourism Mart held in Shillong in November the previous year. The event served as a platform to showcase Meghalaya’s unique tourism products, rich biodiversity, and intangible heritage to a global audience.
President Murmu also emphasized Meghalaya’s potential in various sectors beyond tourism, including agriculture, information technology, and horticulture. Initiatives like the Shillong IT Park and the Meghalaya Broadband Policy 2018 have propelled the state’s IT sector to new heights. The combination of a vibrant IT ecosystem, prestigious educational institutions like NIT and IIM, along with favorable weather conditions and lower operational costs, positions Meghalaya as a comparative advantage to become a global hub for IT services in the current era of data and information.
As President Murmu extolled Meghalaya’s multifaceted potential, her address underscored the strategic importance of the region in India’s quest for holistic development, emphasizing the role of the East in the nation’s progress.
