HT Bureau
Guwahati, July 7: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated a program titled ‘Seema Ke Vishay Pe Charcha’ (An interactive discussion on border issues) at Jyoti Chitraban Auditorium on Friday. The event was organised by the National Institute of Border Studies (NIBS) in association with Seemanta Chetana Mancha Purvottar, aiming to foster collaboration among educational institutions and raise awareness about boundary issues.
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Governor Kataria expressed his gratitude to the organisers for hosting the program and emphasised the need for special attention to be given to the North Eastern region. He highlighted the efforts of the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in prioritising the development of the region. Previously considered a frontier region, the North East is now receiving significant attention, with the Prime Minister referring to it as “Astalakshmi” and the “New Engine” of India’s growth.
Governor Kataria accentuated the importance of the program for those involved in the study or research of India’s national and international borders. He provided an overview of various development initiatives in the North East, including the increase in the number of airports from nine to 16 and the rise in flight frequency from approximately 900 to around 1900 since 2014. Additionally, all the states in the region have been incorporated into India’s railway network for the first time, and efforts are underway to expand waterways. The length of national highways in the region has also increased by 50 percent since 2014. Furthermore, the Governor highlighted the amicable resolution of long-pending border and boundary disputes.
Expressing appreciation to the National Institute of Border Studies for organising the academic discussion on borders, Governor Kataria expressed hope that the deliberations would shed light on the dynamics of boundary issues and the government’s harmonious approach in addressing them. He anticipated that the discussion would contribute to academic awareness and pragmatic resolutions of inter-state and international border issues. The Governor also anticipated that the discussion would aid in formulating policies that benefit the rapid development of border areas and the well-being of the people living there.
The welcome speech at the event was delivered by former chairman of the Assam State Level Police Recruitment Board, Pradeep Kumar. Notable attendees included Dr Rukma Gohain, chairman of the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council; Dr Geetima Das Krishna, head of Invest India, North East Desk; Dr Binita Bhagwati, principal of KK Handique Govt Sanskrit College, Guwahati; as well as faculty members from different universities, colleges, and higher secondary schools.
