SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE PUBLIC RECEPTION

Imphal, Manipur, 11th March, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to be here amongst the people of this beautiful State. I am deeply touched by the warmth accorded to me at this reception, and take this opportunity to convey my good wishes for the peace, prosperity and progress of the people of Manipur.

I was particularly pleased to lay the foundation stone of the IT Park and to launch the State Wide Area Network (SWAN). Both of these projects relating to the use of ICT demonstrate the commitment of the State to harness the benefits of technologies for development and for improved governance. The 21st Century is a knowledge based world, where new technologies and information systems are the major determinants of growth. Connectivity provided by ICT, has played a pivotal role in linking people, institutions and regions within the country and globally. This has resulted in transcending distances, as well as ushering in new ways of conducting businesses and providing services. I am certain that Manipur will be able to leverage the advantages of its talented population to become one of the IT hubs in the country.

Manipur evokes many memories and images. It is a land of great diversity where many different communities and tribes with their vibrant cultures, have lived side by side in harmony for generations. Each of its communities and each of its tribes with their varied customs and traditions, songs and dances, folk tales and proverbs, have added immensely to the composite culture of the country. The grace of the Manipuri dance and reverberations of the Manipuri drums have captured many a heart in the country. We are proud of your rich and diverse cultural heritage. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of our country, described Manipur as the Jewel of India. I am confident that this precious jewel, will in the coming days become more radiant and lustrous.

The people of Manipur have been excelling in sports. I congratulate the State for being the top state in the country, at the 34th National Games 2011 held in Jharkhand recently. I am sure that Manipur will continue to produce world-class sports persons, bringing glory to the State and the Nation, and its people will also continue to contribute to nation-building. In this context, I would like to emphasize that it is in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, that sustained development can take place. I would, therefore, urge people to maintain harmony, reject violence and join national mainstream efforts, for the development and progress of the country. When people work together unitedly and collectively, there is much that can be achieved.

Manipur is a land of great potential and is also a land of beauty. Its hills and valleys, rivers and lakes including Loktak Lake, green vegetation and trees, its amazing varieties of flowers like the Siroi Lily and animals like the Sangai deer, have given it a distinctive identity. Even as development takes place, it should be accompanied with efforts to retain your traditions and conserve the great bio-diversity.

Growth that is sustainable requires a good infrastructural base. Work on roads and bridges, power, irrigation, water supply and the sports sector have been taken up. It should be ensured that these projects are completed on time. I am informed that the State has also initiated the strengthening of its administrative infrastructure. Buildings for the State Assembly, the High Court and the State Secretariat alongwith Mini Secretariats in the Districts are being constructed. This should result in taking administration to the people, so that their concerns and problems can be addressed without delays.

Most of all, development should be directed towards enhancing the quality of life of the people, and to their social and political empowerment. I am told that a large percentage of the population is dependent on agriculture, and its allied activities for its livelihood. In such a scenario, a comprehensive way forward, should be to look at ways to increase agricultural productivity through better cropping patterns, using high yielding seeds and scientific water management. Agro-processing units, including small home based and co-operatives units, would add value to agricultural products, and make it easier to transport them to markets. Hence, I would place strong emphasis on post-harvest management and processing, to make agriculture a higher income generating activity. I am sure that with their entrepreneurial attitude, the people of Manipur will come forward to meet this goal.

Building productive and creative human resources requires a strong education system, which caters for education facilities for all, and has committed teachers, who not only give knowledge but also a good value system to their students. Quality education will enable the youth to get gainful employment, and to deal with the challenges of the future. To create self employment opportunities among educated youth, the State Government must focus on implementing employment generation and skills development programmes, in a manner that skills created are the skills needed in the State. Young men and women, who have had the benefit of good education and training, can in turn, put their knowledge to the best possible use, in the interest of families, communities, the nation and human-kind.

Alongwith education, access to adequate and affordable health facilities is important. The establishment of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in the State, which began its first academic session last year, is an important step towards providing medical care. I would urge medical practitioners to look at their work as a service to society. Initiatives of the State, like the Public-Private Partnership for meeting emergency maternity care are good, but should be extended to the broader mother-child care agenda. For progress to be balanced and enduring, the welfare of children and women is essential.

Earlier, today, I interacted with the Chairperson of the State Social Welfare Board, as well as with the Chairperson of the Manipur Women's Development Corporation and with Women's Self Help Groups. Their commitment to working for the welfare of women is commendable. The women of Manipur are known for their great talents and strength. I am told that one only has to visit the Khwairmband Bazar, a unique all women's Ima market, to see the artistic and creative work of women, in the field of handlooms and handicrafts. I would call for the further strengthening of the SHG movement, as also working more intensively on women's issues. The concept of women working on a cooperative basis is not new in Manipur. From the early days, I am told, there existed here a system of socio-economic cooperation called Marup, a type of self help group, where those with common economic needs would undertake an economic activity, by participating directly in decision making, and sharing the benefits on an equitable basis. A women's role is critical in a society, for it is she who, as an income earner, a mother, a daughter, a sister, who greatly influences the transformation of society. Issues like drug consumption or HIV-AIDs all require sensitive handling, and women can play an important role in dealing with such social issues. I also desire that the women of Manipur take the initiative in bringing about a friendly and harmonious atmosphere in the whole State, and among all sections of society and communities.

I also believe that Manipur alongwith other North-Eastern States, has great potential for development. Regional integration among them, and their cooperation with the countries in South-East Asia, can be useful in not only promoting India's Look East Policy, but also in bringing benefits to the region, including Manipur. Manipur has rich natural resources and its talented people provide it with a sound basis of growth. Manipur can look to the future with hope and promise.

I once again thank the friendly people of Manipur for this public reception, and convey my good wishes to them and to the Governor and the Chief Minister. I also wish success for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Manipur.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!