New Delhi: After ‘Make in India’, now it is ‘Make in Northeast’. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh on Tuesday announced ‘Make in Northeast’ initiative beginning with a comprehensive tourism plan for the region and appointment of a brand ambassador who could personify the identity of the Northeast.
Chairing a joint meeting of senior officers of Ministries of DoNER and Tourism, Singh said, ‘Make in Northeast’ initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ concept, would in the long run “seek to promote exclusive Northeast expertise in areas like tea processing, organic farming, food processing, exploitation of wind power through wind mills, AYUSH, wellness therapies like spas.”
He also announced the decision to appoint a Brand Ambassador who, he said, could personify the heritage and identity of Northeast and at the same time, inspire the rest of the countrymen to “look east” and “act east”.
A detailed brochure for investors will also be prepared and released across the country to encourage investment in Northeast, he added.
In order to develop Northeast as a destination for investors, holiday seekers and tourists, Dr Singh said, mega circuit and mega destination projects of Tourism Ministry in the area will also be pursued.
Revealing future plans, Singh said, his Ministry would soon organize an event in Mumbai for interaction with representatives of film industry .
“There is a lot of scenic beauty in the Northeastern states. It is like going to any other foreign destination. We will ask Bollywood to make films in these states. They are bestowed with picturesque locations,” the DoNER minister said.
“It is strange,” he observed, that the only film-maker from Mumbai who had, with commitment, focused on depicting Northeast through cinema was Late Dev Anand and therefore, the glory of visuals from Northeast locations needs to be reintroduced to the present generation of film makers as well.
One of the important objectives of “Make in Northeast” initiative, Singh said, will be not only to generate revenue for Northeast but also to create job opportunities to prevent the exodus of youth which is presently taking place from the region to the rest of the country.
“The issue of connectivity in the Northeastern states is a matter of major concern for us. The road and rail network is not there due to difficult terrain. A lot of dependence is on air travel. That is why we are requesting airlines to increase the number of aircrafts and frequency to these states. We are ready to provide more incentives to the airlines,” Singh said.