Gov. Sankaranarayanan bids Adieu to Nagaland

Chizokho Vero
Kohima | July 24

Outgoing Governor of Nagaland K. Sankaranarayanan today left Kohima to be sworn-in as governor of Jharkhand, a state currently under President’s Rule. He was accorded a ceremonial send-off service at the Raj Bhavan this afternoon, which was attended by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Council of Ministers, legislators and bureaucrats. Sankaranarayanan completed two-and-half years in office as governor of Nagaland.

Earlier, in an interaction with media persons at the Naga Bhavan before proceeding to Dimapur and then for Jharkhand tomorrow, he expressed full satisfaction and acknowledged the support he had received from all corners, the government, NGOs, bureaucrats, student bodies, GBs and all hohos.

Sankaranarayanan said that on his assuming the office of the governor of Nagaland on February 3, 2007, he had worked and advocated for development of Nagaland at various platforms. He said peace and development should go together as there cannot be peace without development and no development without peace. He, therefore, stressed on the need for all political parties, NGOs and students to work for peace.

Stating that Nagaland has an enormous task to be undertaken for development, Sankaranarayanan recalled the concern expressed by him on several platforms for better communication in terms of good road connectivity from one district headquarter to another, improvement of village roads and so on. Only when these areas are addressed, he said, the state can have fast development. He also said Nagaland needs to encourage small-scale industries so that youths can avail employment opportunities.

Lamenting that employment is still inadequate in the state, the outgoing governor stressed on the need to promote both public and private sectors and that setting up of nursing, medical, engineering and information technology institutions is paramount for the state. 

He said if these areas are earnestly pursued, it would lessen the unemployment problem and also increase the revenues of the state. Unemployment problems would be solved, if small-scale industries and private sector enterprises are earnestly pursued, he said.

Also expressing concern over the power sector, Sankaranarayanan said a proper road map needs to be framed. He said that thermal power and hydro project need to come up in the state. In the education sector, he said Nagaland can become an educational hub of the entire North East region if due emphasize is given to improvement of higher education. Nevertheless, he maintained that time-bound programmes have to be made in order to carry forward all developmental activities.

Also expressing his happiness that many Nagas are working outside the state as nurses, engineers, doctors and the like, Governor Sankaranarayanan wished to see more from Nagaland. He expressed full satisfaction being the governor of Nagaland during the two and half years of his tenure. He has no ‘bad’ word to say about his entire stay, in all fields. Asked about his most memorable moment as governor of Nagaland, Sankaranarayanan said he cannot choose any particular moment to comment on. All were memorable, he said.

Governor Sankaranarayanan expressed hope that the present Nagaland government, with the support of the public, experienced ministers and bureaucrats, would take up immediate initiatives for all-round development of Nagaland. Asked when he would come back to Nagaland, he said to come anytime as a tourist.