The Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar,
The Hon’ble Governor of Mizoram, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati,
The Hon’ble Speaker of the House, Pu Lalbiakzama
My colleagues, Members of this House,
1. As we gather here today in this August House, it is with profound gratitude that we extend our deepest appreciation to the Honorable Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar-ji, for taking the time out of his demanding schedule to grace us with his presence and address the 9th Mizoram Legislative Assembly, on his maiden visit to the State as Vice President of India.
2. It brings me great joy to reflect upon the recent celebration of our 38th State Day across Mizoram and in this regard, I am delighted to share that the Honorable Vice President extended greetings to the people of Mizoram through social media, expressing his sincere wishes for the progress, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the State. It is, indeed, a privilege to have him with us in person today.
3. When Mizoram attained Union Territory status in 1972, India had already surged ahead with its fifth Five-Year Plan, placing us 25 years behind in terms of development. Moreover, for two decades until 1986, our state experienced troubled times, slowing our progress a great deal. Despite facing numerous obstacles, we take immense pride in our efforts to catch up and align ourselves with the nation’s trajectory and in the remarkable achievements that have come to characterize our State and its people.
4. Foremost among these accomplishments is the transformation of a once strife-ridden state into the most peaceful region in our country. Additionally, our impressive literacy rate, ranking third highest nationwide, stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to education and progress.
5. However, as echoed in the timeless words of Robert Frost, "I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep", we acknowledge the arduous path that lies ahead, driving us with renewed determination within the chambers of this August House.
6. Recognizing the enormity of our tasks and the constraints of time, we are acutely aware that the journey of governance is far from easy, contrary to popular belief. Our new Government is humbled by the overwhelming mandate it has received from the people of Mizoram and as it embarks on its earnest journey to serve them, it will be our collective endeavour to be true to this mandate and aspirations of the people.
7. To realise our vision of a transformed Mizoram, characterized by inclusive and equitable growth, we rely heavily on continued guidance and support from the Central Government. Additionally, we require adept advocates who can effectively champion our cause before the authorities in New Delhi.
8. I, therefore, seize this opportunity to humbly request him to assume the role of an ambassador for Mizoram upon his return to New Delhi, as well as during his travels across India and beyond. Such advocacy on the part of a dignitary as important as the Vice President will undoubtedly bolster our efforts and pave the way for our collective aspirations to come to fruition.
9. Reflecting on the trajectory of Shri Jagdeep Dhankarji's life journey — from his modest beginnings as a young lawyer in Rajasthan to his current esteemed position as Vice President of our great nation— one realizes what a truly remarkable individual he is. We are blessed to have him in our midst and I am sure that I speak for everyone present here today in wishing him the very best for the remainder of his tenure as Vice President.
10. I am confident that today's visit by the Honorable Vice President will not only inspire my fellow legislators in this House but also strengthen their dedication as representatives of the people of Mizoram. We anticipate with hopeful hearts that this visit is the first of many more to come in the future. We only wish he would have stayed longer to relish our captivating weather, breathtaking landscapes, and the warmth of the people of Mizoram.
11. In conclusion, I extend my sincere wishes for the Honorable Vice President's safe journey back to Delhi. We hope that he has found as much enjoyment and significance in this visit as we have, marking a truly momentous occasion for the State of Mizoram.
Thank you
Jai Hind
