NEW DELHI, March 9 (Agencies): Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, till recently the Secretary-General of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has said that if India wants its North–east to benefit from its much publicized Look East Policy, it must bring top leaders of South East Asia to that region and encourage dialogue and discussion there.
“India can call a meeting of the ASEAN+India in the North-East, in Guwahati, on the banks of the Brahmaputra, from where your Prime Minister (Dr. Manhoman Singh) is elected, of the foreign ministers and even a Summit,” declared Dr. Pitsuwan, who was Secretary General of ASEAN for five years and is a former Foreign Minister of Thailand, and widely regarded as one of the most articulate of Asian leaders.
The Thai leader made his remarks while delivering the Fourth Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew Lecture at Jamia Milia Islamia under the auspices of the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, the only such Centre in a Central University.
The Centre, whose founder-director is Prof. Sanjoy Hazarika, the well-known writer, policy analyst and researcher, invited Dr. Pitsuwan to Jamia during its international Conference on ‘The Eastern Himalaya: Climate Change, Livelihoods and Poverty’. The conference drew over 100 persons, including the Environment Ministry of the Govt . of India, scholars, scientists, media, students and activists from the UK, US, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand,, international organizations, diplomats and delegates from the North-east.
Reflecting on his visit to the North-east a few years ago, Dr. Pistuwan said that its role must be central to the efforts by ASEAN and India to build “the East-West Corridor from the Mekong River Basin” to the Ganges River Basin and beyond. The ethnic and environmental diversity of the region would also be plus factors in this engagement. Dr. Pitsuwan’s innovative policy of “constructive engagement” with Myanmar over the past years both as Thai Foreign Minister and then as ASEAN’s main trouble shooter, has been critical to the recent, rapid pro-democracy changes in that country.
“Our guiding principle is that when India grows, we grow, when China grows, we grow: The challenge before us is how to keep the balance between two nuclear powers and the evolution of integration with ASEAN in the middle will help mutual dependency,” Dr. Pitsuwan declared.
Really hope YEAR 2013 turns out to be a phase of transformation for TRIPURA from being just a state (being in backwardness for decades) to a NEW FACE OF EMERGING INDIA with significant contribution and stimulation to global economy!!
We really need to move forward by developing TRIPURA with world class infrastructures and bring it at par with best of the other Indian states in the shortest possible time!
Yes – we do have logistical issues in terms of connectivity, tough terrains – which slowly but surely being overcomed with multiple links opening up through Bangladesh, Myanmar!
Appreciating TRIPURA Govt and Center on the development works so far, would request to set higher goals and aim to make TRIPURA the new face of emerging India!
And this would require a dynamic approach – something similar to what NARENDRA MODI have displayed in terms of attracting best of the industries inspite of BJP being in opposition and GUJARAT in no time has become a preference for Industries compared to other industrially established states!
Some of the very important issues plaguing TRIPURA badly:
1.Not a single high tech corporate, big MNCs (from IT, FMCG, Manufacturing, Service, Banking, Textile Healthcare, Retailing, Power, Automobile sectors) have a presence in TRIPURA – Need of the hour is to have many and which is a must to open up window of professional opportunities (and mass employment) for lakhs of bright youths of the state.
2.Not a single world class 5 star hotel, shopping mall and multiplexes exists in TRIPURA – Need of the hour is to have many and which is a must for a better and modern lifestyle for both people of State as well as thousands of tourists arriving in the state.
3.Not a single higher education institute of national importance (IIM, IIT, IISc, AIMS, Symbiosis management institutes, Xavier management institutes etc …) exists in TRIPURA – Need of the hour is to have many and which is a must to bring youths at par to the ones in other part of India.
4.Not a single hospital of national importance (in terms of quality and trusted brand – e.g Appolo, Manipal Hospitals etc ..) exists in TRIPURA – Need of the hour is to have many and which is a must for those helpless people of state who has to run around and rush to kolkata and other states for treatment in those critical hours of life!
5.Not a single world class rail facility (starting from poor amenities in stations, sub standard coaches, irregular train timings, lack of safety during night travel etc …) exist in different railway stations in TRIPURA .. how much are we prepared once AGARTALA-AKHAURA rail link opens up for connecting TRIPURA to other parts India and outside world (through Chittagong international port)?
6.Not a single international Airport exists in TRIPURA! .. also the project transforming Agartala airport to international one is hanging .. due to lack of available land! With looking east policy from Center taking shape in bringing southeast Asia and rest of the world more closer to Northeast .. how prepared we are in terms of setting up excellent Air communication link and facilities in TRIPURA?
7.Not a single world class infrastructure exists in Bus communication between TRIPURA (Agartala) to other states in NE including lack of world class busses (Volvo AC, non-AC etc) in addition to excellent recreational outlets in each of the bus routes between states .. also, landslide being a huge problem still remains unresolved ..causing serious inconvenience to travelers getting stuck in the middle of bus journey for longer periods ..
8.Not a single global investor meet organised yet in TRIPURA (whereas in Karnataka, Gujarat and even Chattisgarh these are almost frequent affairs). Need of the hour is organize such event which would surely put TRIPURA in global map and radar of world class corporates!
9.Not a single world class stadium/infrastructure exists to host nations favorite sporting event (Cricket matches involving India national team), which is a must for true integration among people from Northeast,mainland India, tourists from neighboring countries e.g Bangladesh, Myanmar, SE Asia!
Also urgent need of the hour is to complete all the existing infrastructure projects as soon as possible and identification and sanctioning of all other infrastructure projects fulfilling above infrastructure gaps without any further delay!
IMPOSSIBLE – just means I AM POSSIBLE! If India need to catch up with USA and CHINA, the most strategically placed Northeast (especially TRIPURA) need to be made into a developed region in the shortest possible time!
I strongly believe TRIPURA govt (in close co-ordination with Center, other concerned dignitaries and all corporate vissionaries) can certainly achieve this sooner rather than late .. which would definitely give its people a better employment opportunities, a better healthcare, a better access to quality education, a quality lifestyle, and last but not the least a confident and connected TRIPURA leading India’s charge towards contributing to a more stable and stronger global economy!!