Guwahati: Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Deputy Leader, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said here that the "Modi Mantra" of "PWD" (poor, women, downtrodden) empowerment has calx the "communal, casteist, corruption consortium",

While addressing media persons at "Hunar Haat", organized at Guwahati, Assam, Shri Naqvi said that, while on one hand, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has become an "Icon" of inclusive empowerment of the deprived and downtrodden in India, on the other hand he has been accepted as a "Ray of Hope" for peace across the world. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma will formally inaugurate the Guwahati "Hunar Haat" at 11:30 AM tomorrow 12th March.

Shri Naqvi said that while every section in the country considers Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi a symbol of "trust with development", the entire world admires him as an "exponent of global peace". Shri Modi has always played the role of "Trouble-shooter" in time of crisis. The entire world has recognized this, first during the Corona pandemic and now during the Ukraine crisis.

Shri Naqvi said that the landslide victory of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, and other states reflect the people's unwavering trust in Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's commitment to Inclusive Empowerment of all. Shri Modi has demolished conventional politics of casteism and communalism by a commitment to development.

Shri Naqvi said that the North Eastern region of the country, including Assam, which had been neglected for decades, have been made "Priority Partner of Progress and Prosperity" by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The thumping victory of the BJP in Manipur is a testament to the BJP's policy of making all the states of the country an equal partner of mainstream development.

Shri Naqvi said that the "Act East Policy" of the Modi Government has ensured all-around development of the entire North Eastern Region including Assam. Shri Modi had taken resolved in 2014 to bring the North East Region into the mainstream development process of the country, Shri Modi's vision has been to accelerate the pace of economic development of the North-Eastern region so that the entire region achieves growth parity with the rest of the country. Development works have been carried out at war-footing in the North Eastern Region during the last about 8 years of the Modi Government.

Shri Naqvi said that while Rs 36,108 crore had been allocated for the development of the North Eastern Region in 2014; the Modi Government has given Rs 76,040 crore in 2022 for the development of the region. Unprecedented infrastructure development has been taken place in the North Eastern Region during the last about 8 years. Rs 39,000 crore have been spent to expand rail infrastructure in the region. More than 13,700 KM National Highways have been constructed in the North Eastern Region with an expenditure of around Rs 48,875 crore since 2014-15 by the Modi Government.

Shri Naqvi said that various development projects worth Rs 85,631 crore are currently ongoing in the 8 North-Eastern states. Another Rs 80,000 crore worth of projects are planned for the next two years. The Central Government allocated more than Rs 900 crore to North-Eastern states in the fight against Corona to ensure necessary health facilities.

Shri Naqvi said that be it tourism, civil aviation, agriculture, and horticulture, all these sectors have witnessed a significant transformation. "Aatmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Yojana" has provided market and opportunities to traditional legacy of art and craftsmanship of the North-Eastern region.

Shri Naqvi said that the 38 "Hunar Haat" is organized at Veterinary College Ground, Khanapara, GS Road, Guwahati from 11 to 20th March. More than 600 artisans and craftsmen, including a large number of women artisans, from more than 28 States/UTs are participating in "Hunar Haat". This is for the first time that "Hunar Haat" has been organised in the North East region.

A total of 300 stalls have been set up in "Hunar Haat in Guwahati where rare handmade indigenous products from every corner of the country and traditional food of various regions are available. Besides, "Mera Ganv Mera Desh", "Vishwakarma Vatika", Circus, cultural programmes of renowned artists of the country, selfie points, etc are the major attractions of "Hunar Haat" in Guwahati.

Circus artists will perform every day at "Hunar Heat". Renowned artists of the country such as Suresh Wadekar, Mahalaxmi lyer, Amit Kumar, Sudesh Bhosle, Zubeen Garg, Altaf Raja, Kalpana Patowary, Hamsika lyer, Archana Sharma, Upasana Singh, Dikshu Sarma, Patow Manav Bordoloi, Sunita Bhuyen, Rani Indrani, Bhumika Malik, Rekha Raj, Mohit Khanna, Padmanay Priya Malik, Ritesh Mishra, Gunjan Saxena, Junior Mehmood, Neha Khan will perform various cultural and musical programmes in the evening every day in "Hunar Haat" in Guwahati. Shri Naqvi said that "Hunar Haat" has proved to be a "Partner to Protect, Preserve, Promate" the precious legacy of artisans and craftsmen. "Hunar Haat", which is an "Efficient Effort to Empower" artisans and craftsmen, has provided employment and employment opportunities to about 8 lakh artisans and craftsmen in the last about 7 years.