Address at Tezpur University

Address

I am indeed very much delighted to visit Tezpur University. The objective of my visit is to see and talk to the people of Assam particularly spiritual community students and teachers and people from various walks of life. The state of Assam has tremendous natural resources and biodiversity with traditional civilisational heritage. The most important resource you have is multi skilled manpower. For the development of Assam we need a focused vision for developments in all fields particularly women empowerment, higher education, joint action programs with neighboring states.

India Millennium Missions 2020

A developed country, in my opinion, is one which has the capability and the capacity to comprehensively look at wealth generation and wealth protection and thereafter evolve integrated strategies, technologies and missions to meet these objectives. It is also a fact that technology is the established currency of geo-political power and in the Indian context, technology has to be the driving force for economical development and national security. India Millennium Missions 2020 (IMM 2020), provides an excellent framework and road-map for making a strong and developed India by the year 2020. Recently on the Independence Day address in red fort, Prime Minister has put forth India 2020 - vision for the next. Millennium as a national agenda.

Five Mega Projects to transform the nation to Developed Country

We have identified five areas where India has a core competence for an integrated action. (1) Agriculture and food processing -we have to put a target of doubling the present production of food and agricultural products. Other areas of agriculture and agro food processing would bring prosperity to rural peopleand speed up the economic growth. (2) Reliable and quality electric power for all parts of the country. (3) Education and Healthcare -we have seen, based on the experience, education and healthcare are inter related. (4) Information Technology -This is one of our core competence. We believe, this area can be used to promote education in remote areas and also to create national wealth. (5) Strategic sectors -This area, fortunately, witnessed the growth in nuclear technology, space technology and defence technology.

These five areas are closely inter-related and culminate in thirty IMM 2020 missions leading to national food and economic security. A strong partnership among the R&D, academy, Industry and the community as a whole with the Government departments will be essential to accomplish the vision.

I would like to convey a message to the Assam citizens. Assam, with its own advantages of abundant natural resources, bio diversity, minerals and your rich culture, can transform into a developed state in a very short period. For reaching such developed status, what is needed is a focused action. The state should declare to become a developed state in a period of ten years and focus its actions towards that vision and become a roll model state in the country for the states having similar size and population.

I am aware that this state was going through difficult phases for few months in the recent past. You would be knowing all other states also, at times pass through such critical stages. While such situations sometimes leads to a feeling of hopelessness / despair we should all remember that finally it is the will of the people and their strength that wins and prevails. You are all aware about the difficulties of Independence struggles experienced by our freedom fighters. I am confident given a determined vision and action we shall not only overcome the difficulty but also triumphantly march forward. I am convinced when the development activities increase and gather momentum definitely the insurgency will come down. That makes me recall the saintly saying of Maha Rishi Patanjali in Yoga SUTHRAS: "When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be".

Conclusion

Civilisation that does not have the knowledge of technology or the technological nations without experience of civilization, cannot innovate newer economy. Assam has rich natural resources. Proper use of technology with natural resources will bring a combination, which is high energy force multiplier. With a vision and work, Assam will get transformed into a developed state.

Think of the ignited Indian minds in the citizens of Assam. This is the most powerful resource compared to any resource on the earth, above the earth and below the earth. You are a mighty force for the nation. Your sweat will transform developing India into a developed nation. That is the vision, INDIA MillENNIUM MISSION 2020 -A developed India. let us start the movement for a developed India and work for the mission.

Best wishes to you all. And my greeting to your success.