Mantra for Development is Peace and Security

ITANAGAR, Apr 16: Rapid development will happen only where there is peace and security said Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh, while inaugurating a two-day national seminar on development and security organized by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), New Delhi in collaboration with Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Arunachal Pradesh here today.In his inaugural address, Gen Singh dwelt in length on development activities in the State. He pictured the State during its inception when there were two schools and few kilometers of road to coming up of four lane road, airports and railway tracks.

But, he cautioned, as Governor of the State, I have to ensure that development is not forced on the people and they become mute spectators. It should in a pace, which they can absorb. I want to see that Arunachalees are the biggest beneficiaries of the development process, he added.

We have come a long way and today stand at par with many developed States of our country. In fact, for 2009-10 the growth rate of the State was more than 22% which was the highest for any State of the country. I see a bright future for Arunachal Pradesh as security has been well address by the nation, he said.

Gen Singh, while acknowledging the immense contributions of the Vivekananda Kendras in the State recalled his close association with organization and VKV Tafragaon in early seventies, when he was a battalion commander in Lohit area.

In his keynote address, Chairman of Vivekananda International Foundation, Admiral KK Nayyar, former Vice Chief of Naval Staff said “development is due to effort of human being and we have to develop our human resources. Development should be inclusive and there should be no place for corruption”.

Stating that increase in life expectancy as indicator of development, he said it is the summarization of development process.

Sharing his ideas on security, former Vice Chief of Naval Staff said, problem of security is more from internal than external. With better education and better information, we can erase internal problems and communal tension and secure our way of life and our culture. Referring stapled visa, claims on Arunachal Pradesh by China, Admiral Nayyar said, we should take note of it, but should not fear.

On the huge hydropower potential of Arunachal Pradesh, Chairman of Vivekananda International Foundation said, size of rehabilitation is not big and therefore central government should facilitate in the speedy implementation.

Former Vice Chief of Naval Staff concluded his speech by stating, ‘For many years people of Arunachal Pradesh have lived up to the our expectation and now it is the time rest of the country rise to the expectation of these people.’

Vice President of all India Vivekananda Kendras A Balakrishnan said, national security is the responsibility of every citizen and not just armed forces or the police. But it will be taken care if we have right kind of education, he said while informing that Vivekananda Kendras are doing its best in its humble ways to provide right type of education.

Dwelling on background of Vivekananda Kendras in Arunachal Pradesh, Vice President of all India Vivekananda Kendras informed that organization which set its foot in the State in 1974 started providing formal education to children in 1977 with start of seven residential schools in five districts. Today, it has expanded to thirty-three schools spread all over the State from Tirap to Tawang.

In his welcome address, Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Arunachal Pradesh Chapter State Coordinator, Dr. Tejum Padu gave an overview of the seminar. Pointing at the recent controversies like stapled visa, claims on Arunachal Pradesh by China and inserting of Arunachal Pradesh in Google maps of China, Dr. Padu said that such seminars was necessary in Arunachal Pradesh.

Earlier Governor released Golden Vine of R Hynniewtrep, the Khasi Heritage by Suman Sing Sawian and Heritage of Kamakhya on the Nilachala Hill, both published by Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture. (PRO, Raj Bhavan)

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Published in Arunachal Times : 17 April 2011