NE must come together with one common voice to see growth: Rio

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and members of Leaders Connect at the 7th edition of Young Leaders Connect in New Delhi on November 2. 

7th edition of the Young Leaders Connect held in the national capital

 

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 2 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister and Chief Patron of Young Leaders Connect (YLC) on Saturday said the single biggest opportunity for North East to grow is connectivity among the region. 

Giving the key note address at the Young Leaders Connect 7, the conclave that provides a common platform for young leaders and achievers from the North East, at The Grand, Vasant Kunj in Delhi, Rio maintained that the region should come together to fight for North East and have one common voice rather than being a competitor. 

With the Act East policy in place, Rio said the region has become the gateway to Southeast Asia, and the youth has to take the lead and benefit from it. For this, the region has to identify its potential and synchronize to prosper, he added. 

Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports highlighted on the need to change in the perception of North East. 

“Isolation is in the mind and not necessarily in distance. The solution is North East should do away with the blame as much as possible rather to claim,” he stated. Rijiju also said once the dependency concept is left out, success would naturally follow.

Hekani Jakhalu, member Leaders Connect and chair YouthNet in her welcome address appreciated and congratulated CM Neiphiu Rio regarded as the most youth friendly Chief Minister, on being the chief patron of YLC.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma highlighted that the Northeastern states cannot continue to blame others, adding “Rather we must decide to move forward and with that in mind we need to grow.” 

Short speeches were delivered by Gaurav Gogoi, member Leaders Connect and MP, Mahendra Singhi MD & CEO Dalmia, six times world boxing champion Mary Kom, and Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia. 

The conclave was chaired by Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju and co-chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia. 

Riding on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Made in India’ campaign, the conclave which focused on entrepreneurship in the Northeast region witnessed over 700 participants from all over the region representing different sectors.  The theme for this year’s edition was “Made in North-East.”

The event's key sector areas of focus are Agro-Allied and Food Processing; Handloom & Handicraft, Tourism & Hospitality, Sports & Entertainment.

The conclave focused on entrepreneurship in the North East region and showcase discussions from investors, banks, policy makers, entrepreneurs, technocrats, governments and various stakeholders who will help build the success of an entrepreneurial eco system in the region. 

The conclave had panel discussions and insight discussions with experts and stakeholders that will go beyond dialogue and towards deliverable goals applicable in a national and regional setting. 

On the side lines of the panel discussions, there was an interface between entrepreneurs, industry, NGOs, Government agencies, social enterprises and advisory organizations to share and learn. The conclave also focused to showcase projects and programs; to initiate new partnerships and to find new resources.

A total of 13 YLC’s North-East Entrepreneurship Fellows graduated after successfully completing the fellowship.