Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that while Arunachal Pradesh is the first to receive the rays of the sun, the rays of development took decades to reach the state due to neglect by earlier governments.
Addressing a public gathering, the PM said: “Despite being abundantly blessed by nature—with its land, hardworking citizens, and immense potential—Arunachal was consistently ignored. Some political parties believed that with its small population and only two Lok Sabha seats, it did not warrant attention. This mindset harmed not only Arunachal but the entire Northeast”
The Prime Minister underscored that after coming to power in 2014, his government resolved to free the country from the “previous dispensation’s mindset,” working on the principle of ‘Nation First’ and the mantra of ‘Nagarik Devobhava’.
“Those who were never acknowledged before are now revered by Modi. The Northeast, once neglected, became central to development priorities post-2014,” the PM said.
PM Modi pointed out the substantial increase in the state’s budget, with last-mile connectivity and service delivery becoming hallmarks of his government’s approach. He noted that while previously a union minister would visit the Northeast once in two to three months, under his administration, ministers have visited the region over 800 times.
“These visits are not symbolic; ministers stay overnight and engage meaningfully. I myself have visited the Northeast more than 70 times. Just last week, I travelled to Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam, and spent the night in Guwahati,” PM Modi said.
Calling the eight Northeastern states ‘Ashtalakshmi’, the Prime Minister said they could not be left behind in development. He contrasted the ₹6,000 crore Arunachal received from central taxes in 10 years under the previous regime with “over ₹1 lakh crore” during his government.
PM Modi said the Northeast’s role would be crucial in India’s goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. He cited new highways, the Sela Tunnel, heliports under the UDAN scheme, and Hollongi Airport’s direct flights to Delhi as examples of improved connectivity. The Prime Minister also highlighted Arunachal’s contribution to renewable energy and laid the foundation for two new hydropower projects, which he said would generate employment and provide affordable electricity.
The PM further said that tourism in Arunachal had doubled over the past decade, noting that the new convention centre in Tawang would add to the state’s tourism landscape. He also cited progress in health, education, and agriculture, noting work on a cancer institute, medical colleges, Ayushman Bharat benefits, and local produce such as kiwi and cardamom gaining recognition.
On women’s empowerment, PM Modi said his mission of creating three crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ was advancing in Arunachal and that new working women hostels would support young women.
Highlighting the recent reforms in GST, the PM said: “Households will now experience substantial relief in their monthly budgets. Essential items such as kitchen supplies, educational materials for children, footwear, and clothing have become more affordable,” the Prime Minister said, contrasting the period before 2014 which he described as marked by inflation, scams, and high taxes.
“Despite challenges, our government consistently reduced income tax rates. Today, annual income up to 12 lakh rupees is tax-free. GST has been simplified to two slabs—5% and 18%. Many items are now tax-free, and taxes on others have been cut. Building a home, buying a vehicle, dining out, and travelling have all become more affordable,” he said, calling the GST Savings Festival a “memorable milestone.”
Lauding Arunachal’s patriotic spirit, PM Modi said, “People here say ‘Jai Hind’ even before ‘Namaskar,’ placing the nation above self.” He urged citizens to adopt Swadeshi. “India will become developed only when it becomes self-reliant. Buying and selling only Indian products will accelerate development of Arunachal, the Northeast, and the nation.”
Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd), Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju were present at the event.