Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday declared that the Northeast is no longer a distant frontier but now beats at the very heart of India’s development story. Sharing an article penned by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister highlighted Arunachal Pradesh as a symbol of "Viksit Bharat" — a developed India.

“From new airports to empowered SHGs, from connectivity to creativity, Arunachal Pradesh mirrors the spirit of Viksit Bharat,” PM Modi wrote, urging people to read Scindia’s reflection on the region’s transformation.

In the article, Scindia described the Northeast — long considered India’s periphery — as a vibrant engine of growth and cultural strength. “It is no longer a distant corner. Our ‘Ashtalakshmi’ is a thriving hub of opportunity,” he said, referencing the Prime Minister’s term for the eight Northeastern states.

Recounting his recent visit to Arunachal’s Ziro Valley, known globally for the Ziro Music Festival, Scindia praised the fusion of tradition and modernity. Local artisans, he noted, seamlessly accepted cashless payments, embodying the impact of the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile trinity under the Digital India initiative.

Self-Help Groups (SHGs), backed by government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, are driving inclusive growth across the region. From eco-friendly textiles and fruit-based products to handcrafted ornaments, these enterprises are helping preserve cultural identity while generating livelihoods.

Scindia also recounted meeting soldiers of the 1811 Medium Regiment and paying homage to fallen heroes, underscoring the region’s role in both national development and defence.

The minister concluded that every visit to the Northeast leaves him "reenergised," and reaffirmed the region’s growing role in shaping a confident, creative, and connected India.