President Droupadi Murmu on Friday addressed the members of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly at Aizawl on the second day of her visit to the Northeastern state.
Speaking on the ocassion, the President said that Mizoram has done remarkably well on all parameters, especially when it comes to human development, despite the developmemtal challenges posed by the topography of the hilly region.
The President advised that while embracing the modern ways, one should also remain in touch with its roots. As a tribal majority state, Mizoram can explore its past and find best governance practices from pre-modern days that can be revived within contemporary systems, President Murmu said.
Noting that the Mizoram Legislative Assembly celebrated its Golden Jubilee in May, 2022, the President said that over the years, Mizoram Legislative Assembly has, over the years, evolved a model of debate, healthy discussion and mutual respect as an effective instrument in finding solutions to people’s problems.
The President was happy to note that the Mizoram Assembly has played a pioneer role in going digital by adopting NeVA (National e Vidhan Application). She said that in Mizoram, women are an empowered lot in every sphere of life, be it sports, culture or business. She highlighted that there should be increased representation of women in public life particularly, among lawmakers in the state.
The President said that the development of Mizoram and the rest of the Northeast is also significant for the nation to scale greater heights.
"Our ties with the neighbours, especially in South-East Asia, are of high value to us. Our ‘Act East Policy’ places emphasis on the Northeast for improving our ties with the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region. Once an economic initiative, the policy has now gained strategic and cultural dimensions too. Mizoram benefits from, and also contributes to, the nation’s endeavour to engage with the neighbours in the region," the President said.
The President said that with our rising influence on the world stage, come more responsibilities. In climate action, for example, we have taken a lead, showing the world the best way to counter the effects of environmental degradation. Our multiple initiatives in promoting renewable sources of energy have won admiration around the world. Meanwhile, we – as individual citizens, policymakers, lawmakers or administrators – must strive at our level to help heal the planet. Mizoram has the highest forest cover among all Indian states, providing an ideal home for extraordinary and rich biodiversity. The Himalayas, its fragile ecology and flora and fauna are our priceless heritage. We must conserve them for generations to come.
The President is scheduled to attend a civic reception to be hosted by the Sikkim government in her honour and inaugurate/lay the foundation stones for the various projects of Central and state governments later in the day.
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