Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Manipur’s woman power and sporting talents have been an inspiration for the Centre in designing programmes such as ‘Khelo India’.
He was speaking at a rally after initiating a slew of projects at Luwangshangbam on the outskirts of the State capital, Imphal.
The projects included Luwangpokpa Multi Sports Complex, Rani Gaidinliu Park, 1,000 anganwadi centres and 19 residential complexes for teachers, doctors and nurses in far-flung areas. He also inaugurated the boxing academy of Olympic medallist, Mary Kom.
Mr. Modi laid the foundation stone of the National Sports University — India’s first — that was caught in a land dispute. But scrapped from the list of projects to be inaugurated by him was a multi-purpose dam project following protests from the Joint Action Committee Against Forced Inauguration of Mapithel Dam, an umbrella body of 20 groups of project-affected people.
“I am privileged to initiate or dedicate to the people projects worth ₹750 crore, which for a small State like Manipur is indicative of our government’s focus on development. These projects are aimed at fulfilling the dreams of youths, women empowerment, promoting sports and improving connectivity,” the Prime Minister said.
“I had instructed my Ministers to visit the northeastern States regularly,” he said. “I am glad that there had been 200 such visits, I have myself visited the region 25 times in the past four years.”
Pat for CM
He lauded Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for erasing the “negativity of past governments” by pursuing these projects. Mr. Modi assured the State that there would be no dearth of central funds.
“Manipur has left the bigger States behind in sports. The State’s athletes, specifically women, are earning laurels for India in football, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, archery... Manipur deserves good sports infrastructure to produce more champions,” Mr. Modi said.
“Woman power in the State has always been a source of inspiration for the country. Today on this occasion, I salute the great revolutionary and daughter of the nation, Rani Gaidinliu. I am privileged to inaugurate a park dedicated in her name,” he said.
Born at Nungkao in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, Gaidinliu (1915-1993) was a revolutionary who led an army of Nagas against the British in 1931.
Progressing together
“... India’s growth story shall never be complete until the eastern part of our country progresses on a par with the western part,” the Prime Minister said. “The northeast can be India’s growth engine only after its remotest areas get the benefit of connectivity.”
