When Assam prospers, North East prospers: Sherry Lalthangzo

IndiGlobal Bureau

The eight states of northeast occupy eight per cent of the country’s geographic area and supports 3.8% of India’s total population. Assam in particular has a lot to offer and people look up to the region as the northeast has a young population that is sincere and hard-working. “When Assam comes up, the northeast comes up,” said Sherry Lalthangzo, Economic Advisor, North Eastern Council, Government of India at the inaugural session-‘The Northeast Region coming of age’ at the two-day IndiGlobal Bharat Summit 2023 held at IIT-Guwahati in February.

Speaking on the potential of youth, Sherry Lalthangzo said that the youngsters in Assam should aim high. Many go to other parts of the country for employment. There is a lot of scope in the areas of healthcare and tourism. The Government of India has come up with focus on skill and entrepreneurship. Assam Government too is doing a lot in skilling and it should keep the other states of the northeast too in mind. She further added, “A music centre at a cost of Rs 8 crore is being set up in Mizoram and support to Nagaland has also been extended.”

NSDC International has also been set up and is looking for international placements especially to place healthcare providers in Japan and training too is being given. A team from Japan visited India to gain knowledge on agricultural practices; the same could be done by India to learn the best practices. There is availability of human resources, what is needed is to tap this talent, she said.

“The Northeast has huge potential and the trade for example with the neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal is not to the desired level. There is a need to improve exports and rudimentary knowledge on how to prepare documents pertaining to exports is essential.