Vice President C P Radhakrishnan addressed a special session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Itanagar on Wednesday, describing the frontier state as a vital anchor of national unity and a proud guardian of the country's international borders. Speaking to the legislators, he highlighted how the entire Northeast region is rapidly transforming into a primary catalyst for national economic growth, propelled significantly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East policy.
Border Security and Institutional Focus on the Northeast
In his address, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan underscored that the overall progress of India is inextricably linked to the comprehensive growth of Arunachal Pradesh. He noted that the state possesses an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage alongside boundless potential for future development. Reflecting on the institutional history of regional development, he recalled that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee established the dedicated Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to ensure focused administrative attention on the region. Building on that foundation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Act East policy, which has further emphasized the strategic, geopolitical, and commercial significance of the northeastern states.
Referencing the Prime Minister's description of the eight northeastern states as Ashta-lakshmi, the Vice President explained that the region holds immense capacity to drive national prosperity. He pointed out that successive central governments have consistently expanded financial commitment to the region, noting that the Union Budget allocated more than Rs 6,800 crore to the DoNER Ministry in the current financial year to sustain developmental momentum.
Ecological Heritage and Climate Resilience
Beyond economic potential, Vice President Radhakrishnan placed special emphasis on the ecological significance of Arunachal Pradesh. He highlighted that forests cover nearly 79 per cent of the state's total geographical area, forming a vital environmental shield for the entire nation. The state's vast forest reserves, natural resources, flowing rivers, and diverse ecosystems serve an indispensable role in safeguarding India's environmental security while strengthening national resilience against global climate change challenges.
Agricultural Expansion and Infrastructure Milestones
Turning to economic developments within the state, the Vice President commended the remarkable strides achieved in agriculture and infrastructure. Arunachal Pradesh has successfully established itself as India's leading producer of kiwi fruit, demonstrating high agricultural specialization. To boost farming productivity, authorities have distributed more than one lakh soil health cards to local farmers across the state.
Furthermore, state prosperity has translated into direct economic gains for citizens, with per capita income more than doubling in recent years. Infrastructure expansion has also picked up unprecedented momentum, with new road construction maintaining a swift pace of around 1,800 km annually across the state terrain.
