Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that the state occupies a unique position in the Indian Union with special provisions in the Constitution. As the "wait continues for a solution of the Naga political issue, the dialogue and negotiations between the Government of India and the 'Naga political groups' have reached a stage giving us hope for an early resolution". He added that all the elected leaders of the state have come together to form an opposition-less government in the form of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to facilitate an early settlement of the Naga political issue.
Neiphiu Rio made the remarks while delivering a speech during the 59th Statehood Day of Nagaland which was celebrated at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima.
The chief minister appealed to the people to rededicate and work for peace, growth and development, and provide a better standard of living for all citizens. He emphasised on the need to further improve our administrative and governance systems and added that the citizens must join hands with the government to usher in a new era of peace, development and prosperity.
Rio said that this year’s celebrations also coincided with the ongoing nationwide celebrations to commemorate 75 years of India's independence 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' and the great achievements of its people. Close to six decades since statehood, the quality of life of our people has improved significantly. However, despite achievements in the expansion of health and education facilities, the road and power infrastructure need to improve, Rio remarked.
CM Rio added that the government is committed to take necessary steps for all round development and to ensure that our people are provided with the best opportunities for growth and progress.
The chief minister also expressed grief and sympathies to those families who have lost their near and dear ones to Covid-19. Rio saluted the healthcare workers, frontline workers, district administrations, civil societies and church leaders for their ceaseless hard work. He added that the government has constantly monitored the situation and taken timely decisions which helped in dealing with the first and the second waves effectively.
He then stated that in order to improve the health infrastructure hundreds of doctors and nurses were recruited by creating additional posts. Oxygen generation facilities were set up, added more hospital beds including a modern, State of the Art 200-bedded acute care hospital block in CIHSR, Dimapur and deployed advanced equipment. He added that the facility at CIHSR Dimapur will help the state to be better prepared for future COVID-19 waves and other medical emergencies.
Rio cautioned the public to continue to be watchful and take all preventive steps as the festive season approaches. He said that vaccine hesitancy in some pockets of our districts is a matter of great concern. He remarked that within Nagaland, people in Kohima and Dimapur have taken the vaccine with great enthusiasm and these towns are safer today. Rio congratulated the villages which have completed 100 per cent vaccination of their eligible population and appealed to all to come forward and take the vaccine as this will keep everyone safer against any future COVID-19 outbreak.
The chief minister added, "The uniqueness of our culture and talent of our people is fully proven by the success of the Hornbill Festival- the festival of festivals, and this edition of festival will showcase the talents of our youth in the spheres of art and music and other fields".
Meanwhile, CM Rio announced that Nagaland will host the South Asian Cross-Country Championship, which will be clubbed together with the 56th National Cross-Country Championship in January 2022. This will be the biggest-ever international event to be hosted by Nagaland and the event will bring athletes, officials and delegates from many South Asian countries to Nagaland, Rio added.
