New Delhi, April 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called the Northeast "Ashtalakshmi" for Indians, highlighting the success the region has witnessed across different sectors after changes were made in British-era laws in 2017.
Speaking during the 133rd episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, "The Northeast is like Ashtalakshmi for all of us. There is immense talent here, and the natural beauty of the Northeast also draws everyone's attention. In 'Mann Ki Baat' too, we have often discussed the achievements of the people of the Northeast."
Highlighting another such achievement, which he said is the success of the Northeast in the Bamboo sector, the Prime Minister said, "What was once viewed as a burden is now giving new impetus to employment, business, and innovation. Our mothers and sisters are its biggest beneficiaries. You will be surprised to know how much change has come about by changing the definition of bamboo."
He stated that, according to British law, bamboo was classified as a tree, and the regulations governing it are very strict, making the transportation of bamboo quite difficult.
"As a result, people here started moving away from bamboo-related businesses.
Giving an example of Bijoy Sutradhar of Gomati district of Tripura and Pradeep Chakraborty of South Tripura, PM Modi said that they saw the new laws as a "huge opportunity" for themselves.
"Then they integrated their work with technology. Today, they are producing better and more bamboo products than ever before," he added.
In Dimapur and the surrounding areas of Nagaland, PM Modi said that there are several Self-Help Groups that have lent value addition to bamboo-based food products. There are also teams like Khorolo Creative Crafts, which are working on bamboo furniture and handicrafts.
In the Mamit district of Mizoram, he said that teams are working on bamboo tissue culture and poly-house management. "I also learned about the Lagastal Bamboo Enterprise Team near Gangtok in Sikkim. It makes handicrafts, incense sticks, furniture, and interior decor items from bamboo," he added.
"I have cited just a few examples here. The list of success stories of the bamboo sector in the country is quite long. I'll urge all of you to positively purchase one bamboo product or the other from the Northeast. You can even present it as a gift. Your efforts will encourage those who toil hard to make bamboo products," the Prime Minister added.
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