Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday said every state, village and citizen must become ‘Viksit’ to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047, while stressing the need for inclusive development that leaves no section of society behind.
Addressing a public reception organised by the Meghalaya government and people in his honour at the Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, V-P Radhakrishnan said he would always stand with the people of Meghalaya in the state’s development journey.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique social institutions, including its matrilineal tradition, the Vice-President said the state’s grassroots institutions reflected India’s diversity and democratic traditions.
Recalling his former Lok Sabha colleague and late Meghalaya leader P. A. Sangma, V-P Radhakrishnan described him as a great leader, outstanding Parliamentarian and speaker who made a significant contribution to parliamentary democracy.
The Vice-President said true secularism meant respecting each other’s thoughts and beliefs and called for people to live together with mutual respect and harmony. He also emphasised that development must remain inclusive.
V-P Radhakrishnan highlighted the importance of improving connectivity in the Northeast, saying efforts were being made to connect remote villages with towns and cities. He noted that more than 46,000 km of rural roads had been constructed in the Northeast under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana over the past decade, involving expenditure of more than ₹47,000 crore.
He also appreciated Meghalaya’s reform-linked memorandum of understanding under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
During his visit, the Vice-President laid the foundation stones for five projects with a combined value of ₹1,010.95 crore. These include Phase II, Part A of the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme, costing ₹850.58 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund; two road connectivity projects under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS); a 30-bed AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital; and a 132/33 KV substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
He also inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, constructed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission.
V-P Radhakrishnan said the projects, together involving an investment of around ₹1,042 crore, would strengthen Meghalaya’s water supply, road connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure.
He appreciated the state government’s initiatives in infrastructure development and tourism, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya. He congratulated Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, his Council of Ministers and the people of Meghalaya for the state’s progress.
Speaking about the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Vice-President said development should go hand in hand with the preservation of Meghalaya’s environment, culture and traditions.
Referring to Meghalaya’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram, he said the state offered valuable lessons in living in harmony with nature.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P. Ahammed and other dignitaries were present at the event.
