Alongwith with the rest of the country, Mizoram also celebrated the 65rd Republic Day. The Ceremonial function in Aizawl to mark the 65rd Republic Day was held today at 7: 30 AM at the AR Ground (Lammual). The function started with the Governor Shri Vakkom Purushothaman unfurling the National Flag which was followed by the Ceremonial Parade. Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla, his wife Pi Lal Riliani, the Speaker Pu Hiphei, a number of Ministers from the Council of Minister, Parliamentary Secretaries and MLAs besides senior state government officials also attended the function.

Addressing the Republic Day Ceremonial Function the Governor said ‘let us remember the founding fathers who brought forth freedom to this Nation and gave us the Constitution which guarantees dignity and liberty to us. As proud citizens of this great country, it is incumbent upon all of us to nurture and strengthen the democratic system and values enshrined in our Constitution’.

Congratulating the new Government that has come into power, the Governor said it is because of the good polices they have implemented during their term, and the people of Mizoram whole have whole-heartedly supported the policies and voted it back to power. He also congratulated the people of Mizoram for ensuring free and peaceful election.

In his speech, the Governor highlighted the vision and some of the achievements of the State Government for the benefit of the people of Mizoram.

Speaking about flagship programme of New Land Use Policy (NLUP), the Governor said it would be continued with renewed vigour. He said the project has made very good progress in uplifting the economy of the state thereby registering GSDP growth rate at 11 percent during 11th Plan period against the National growth rate of 7.8%. He further said that during the last three years of its implementation, the project has had significant impact in rural economy by providing alternative and sustainable livelihood activities to the farmers thereby reducing their dependence on jhum cultivation by 50 to 60 percent.

On Agriculture the Governor said various interventions schemes such as Area Expansion under Rice Cultivation, promotion of improved production technologies like System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Line planting and improved cultivation of Rice on Hill Slope to enhance productivity and production of Rice and achieving self-sufficiency in food have been initiated.

Dwelling on the importance of industrial growth for the economy, the Governor said that Industrial Area Development with basic infrastructure requirement and facilities in selected locations has been undertaken. He also added that initiatives to explore oil and natural gas in 4 Blocks of the State are also being undertaken and that the exploration of such natural resources will eventually uplift the economy of the State.

The Governor highlighted that Resurfacing of about 129 kms. and widening of 2-Lane of National Highway have been completed recently. Under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) improvement ofAizawlCity roads covering 46 kms at a cost of Rs. 38.73 crore has been taken up and the progress is in full swing. Upgradation of Vaivakawn toMizoram University Road and construction of Sihhmui (NH-44A) toMizoramUniversity as spur of Aizawl By-pass having a length of 14.20 kms. at a cost of Rs. 19.07 crore and Rs. 53.09 crore respectively are being taken up and works are in good progress.

The Governor said various schemes and projects have been implemented with financial assistance under NLCPR(DoNER) NRWDP, JNNURM and UIDSSMT to provide safe and sufficient drinking water to all the people. For development and service improvement of Aizawl water supply, sewerage, sanitation and solid waste management, State Investment Program Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU) is implementing various projects for Aizawl city under the North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programmes (NERCCDIP), he said.

He highlighted that award for Best Performing State under JNNURM in 7 years of Mission’s period (in North East & Special Category States/UTs) and Best State for Overall Performance under SJSRY in the year 2012-2013 (in small States/UTs) under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Govt. of India have been awarded to Mizoram.

The Governor said that selection of beneficiaries under National Food Security Act is in process which will benefit as many as 7.06 lakhs of the State’s population for foodgrains at subsidized rate. He said that various Acts & Rules have been implemented to protect the service condition of the working class and promoting industrial peace and harmony. Creating opportunities for employment has been a major agenda for the Government, he added.

Talking on education, the Governor highlighted some achievements. As many as 7650 children under SSA have been provided with aids and appliances free of cost. Hindi education is given due importance under CSS. The Teacher Education Advisory Board(TEAB) has approved upgradation of 6(six) District Resource Centres(DRCs) into full-fleged DIETs which are expected to function from the academic year 2014-15. The Central Government has also approved establishment of 3 Block Institute of Teacher Education(BITE) in minority concentrated areas at Chawngte, Tlabung andWest Phaileng. During the year 2013-14, the INSPIRE Award of Rs. 5000/- has been received by 808 students of Mizoram. Special literacy drive is also being carried out in full swing with a view to attain 100% literacy within the State.

He said the government is committed to train its sportspersons to qualify for Olympic 2016 and a special programme “Olympic Vision 2016” has been launched in which sportspersons are given special intensive training in selected disciplines. He highlighted that the proposed Land Custom Station(LCS) at Zorinpui in Lawngtlai District has already been approved in principle by the Empowered Committee meeting held at Ministry of Commerce on 5th July, 2013 and said that it could act as an access point to the South East Asian countries when completed.

The Governor mentioned that the Revenue Department had legislated a new Mizoram (Land Revenue) Act, 2013 and the Mizoram (Land Revenue)Rules, 2013 which will address the basic problem of land administration and meet the needs of the people while enhancing our land revenue

He expressed his gratitude to all the NGOs, the Churches and the general public for having reposed faith and confidence in the government and also for extending to it utmost co-operation in all its endeavours for the development of Mizoram.

The Republic Day Ceremonial Parade saw the participation of 23 Contigents - 4 armed contingents, 5 unarmed contingents 10 school contingents besides 4 Band Parties. The Governor handed prizes to the winners of the different contingents. He also distributed prizes to the winners of Hockey and Badminton tournaments which were held to mark the Republic Day.