Mizorama ka unau duhtakte, chibai ule!

On the auspicious occasion of the 72^nd Independence Day of our great Nation of India, I convey my greetings to all the people of Mizoram.  On this day, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by a number of people in our quest for freedom.  We continue to honour the freedom fighters from all sections of the society, who attained valuable Independence for our country.­

Today is particularly special for me, because I celebrate my first Independence Day as the Governor of this beautiful State of Mizoram.  It has been a wonderful experience so far, and I am certain that we will all work together for the development of our State in the coming years.  On that note, I wish to highlight a few notable achievements of our Government.

I am extremely proud to learn that Mizoram has achieved to be one of the fastest growing economies among the State of India with a consistent growth rate of above 8% in the last four years.  According to the Health Index prepared by World Bank Group and NITI Aayog, Mizoram ranks first among the small States and second overall amongst all the States. 

I am happy to learn that the North East Council (NEC) has recognized the New Economic Development Policy (NEDP), the flagship programme of the State as an important policy for the development of the North East and that it has circulated the NEDP documents for possible replica by the other North Eastern States.

I am confident that the NEDP, with the objective to bring about a comprehensive growth strategy for Mizoram will enable the State to attain a growth inclusive and self sufficient economy in the long run.

On the security front, the historic signing of the Memorandum of Settlement between the Mizoram State Government and the Hmar People’s Convention – Democracy (HPC-D) led to the laying down of arms by the HPC-D in April this year. It is also welcoming that an agreement has been signed by Government of India, Governments of Mizoram and Tripura and Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) for the repatriation of thousands of people belonging to the Bru community from Tripura to Mizoram. Thus, we continue to be one of the most peaceful States in the country.

Mizoram has also been declared an Open Defecation Free (ODF) State, and our effort in sanitation is expected to make us the ‘Cleanest State in India’ by 2019.  Our very own Mizoram Institute of Medical Education and Research (MIMER), which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram on 7^th August, 2018 had started its first academic session.

It is a matter of great pride that Mizoram is ranked second among the states in literacy rate, which clearly shows that human resource is one of the most promising development asset in the State and investment in education, sports and capacity building by giving concerted effort towards vocational and professional studies and other skill incentive activities in our education system is imperative.

Mizoram now has been put under the railway network of our country. The construction of a railroad between Sairang and Bairabi likely to be completed in 2020 and the foundation stone for NIELIT (National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology) Centre is also laid in Lunglei under the Digital North East: Vision 2022 of Government of India. It is also to be noted that 1.14 lakh households under urban area and 1 lakh households under rural area have been electrified. Electrification of the remaining 11000 households is in progress under Saubhagya scheme.

Our National Mission for integration and reconstruction of our country continue to be what it was envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi and other great freedom fighters. For development to be real, the poorest must feel that they are part of the nation’s narrative. We are lifting those at the bottom so that poverty, unemployment and other social evils are erased from the map of Modern India. Gandhi Ji saw India as an inclusive nation where all section of population irrespective of caste, creed and religion lived in equality and enjoyed equal opportunity. His vision and mission was to move forward unitedly in ever widening thought and action. This is what our nation has pursued.

Now, we have passed 71 years of Independence with remarkable achievements upholding the democratic values, social ethics and cultural dignity. We have now reached in such a commendable level of powerful nation that World Bank ranked and positioned us with high appreciation.

India is projected to clock an economic growth of 7.5% in the 2019-2020 fiscal years on strengthening of Investment and robust public consumption, the IMF said in its latest report. India is now the 6^th Largest Economy in the world. India’s rank on ease of doing business and innovation index has risen significantly.The budget for agriculture has been increased to 2.1 lakh crores, and now the contribution of agriculture to GDP is 15%.

In addition, I invite all the people of Mizoram to actively join in our vision of a Clean Mizoram, Green Mizoram, Bio Mizoram and Organic Mizoram.

At this moment of celebrating the anniversary of Independence, I bow down before the unequivocal bravery and efforts by the martyrs and other patriots who lived and suffered for the protection of the nation .They will ever live in the hearts of the people.

Lastly, I take this opportunity to make a fervent appeal to the strong and vibrant civil society that we must pledge to make our nation united as per the will and wish of our great architects of the nation. Once again, I convey my best wishes to all the people of Mizoram on this joyous occasion.  Let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals cherished by our leaders in the nations struggle for freedom.

In zavaiin Independence Day hlim leh lawm taka in hman theih nan duhsakna ka hlan a che u. 

Ka lawm e.