SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF BALJEK AIRPORT

Tura, Meghalaya, 23rd October 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to inaugurate Baljek Airport. I understand that this is the second airport in Meghalaya and will provide connectivity to this part of the State from the rest of the country. This is an airport built by the State Government, so I congratulate the State for focusing on building critical infrastructure for development.

Progress and prosperity cannot be realized without adequate infrastructure and a network of connectivity. In a large country like India and especially in areas which are relatively remote, connectivity by road, rail and air is important for the development of the area. In addition, these linkages promote the emotional and economic integration of our country.

The opening of this airport should encourage tourism which is an important engine for growth. This will help people from other parts of the country to visit the beautiful Garo Hills to enjoy its great scenic beauty, its cultural heritage and interact with the local population, which is known for its friendly attitude. Similarly, it also provides an opportunity for people here to travel more easily to other parts of the region and the country. Greater intra-regional movement would generate possibilities of reinforcing the development of the North-East region as a whole. The airport should also make it possible to send some of the local produce outside.

I am glad that Meghalaya is looking at horticulture and floriculture as lead sectors. Its climate is conducive for growing many different kinds of flowers and fruits including the exotic variety. The State is home to some of rare kinds of banana and citrus plants. It is host to nearly 300 varieties of orchids and 700 odd varieties of medicinal plants. I am told that Meghalaya's turmeric is one of the best in the world. Tribal communities have for long been using traditional methods of medicine. These age old practices must be preserved as a part of the traditional knowledge of the country. Scientific development of medicinal herbs can be a very important source of revenue, along with plantation crops like cashew, fruits like orange, strawberry, pineapple and flowers like orchids, liliums and anthurium.

I hope that perishable goods, will now reach new markets faster. I am told that the flowers - orchids and Anthuriums, some of my favourites, grow well in this part of Meghalaya. We would see these flowers from here going to different parts of India and also overseas, once flights start operating. I hope that the airport will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the State and its people.

With these words I dedicate the airport to the people of Meghalaya and to the Nation.

Thank You,

Jai Hind