Shillong: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday called for peace in strife-torn Manipur, saying that such incidents are extremely painful for society and human beings.
“Our behaviour with no one should cause any kind of a pain to her, should not hurt her dignity and it should be our endeavour and it is our moral duty as an individual, and as a society to ensure the same,” he said.
Inaugurating the 20th annual conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-III in the Meghalaya legislative assembly here, Birla also appealed for peace in the region as peace is the path to development.
Mentioning the uniqueness of the Legislative Assemblies in the North East, the Lok Sabha Speaker observed that meaningful and serious discussions take place in the assemblies in this region without interruptions.
“Consequently, a meaningful conclusion emerges from the dialogue which proves beneficial for the region and the country which is an inspiration for other zones,” he said.
Speaking on the subjects selected for the conference, Birla noted that natural disasters and strategies for management with special reference to North East Region and regional connectivity to bring the region to par with mainland India are relevant and contemporary.
“The Northeast is a hotspot of biodiversity, and any ecological disturbance here can have far-reaching effects on environmental stability across India. Therefore, there is a need for better preparedness for disaster risk reduction and management,” he underscored.
On regional connectivity, Birla said the northeastern states have the economic potential to come at par with the mainland and the development of infrastructure is the key.
He mentioned some of the central government commitments in this regard and said, projects like PM Gati Shakti, expansion of National Highways, operational airports, telecom sector, inland waterways, forest sanctuaries, and industrial parks are important.
“The entire region is now poised for a transformational change, but in this process, we have to pay attention that we do not deviate from the path of human values and ethics,” Birla said.
Moreover, he said the region is going through a massive transformation.
“Apart from the development of infrastructure, efforts are also being made at the level of an international dimension to create a ‘focal point’ of regional cooperation and connectivity in Asia and India’s Act East, which will enhance regional solidarity at the political, economic and social level,” he added.
“In the process of development, we have to pay attention that we do not deviate from the path of human values and ethics and it is the collective responsibility of all of us to protect our tradition, heritage, and culture,” he said.
Emphasising on the need to build local capacities and initiatives, Birla said, “Indian development model is based on sustainability and over the period of time, with the use of technology and optimum utilization of human resources, we have strengthened disaster preparedness and management.”
