Pema Khandu Speaks About ‘Philosophy of Arunachal’ In An Interview With Claude Apri

Posted in Arunachal Pradesh, Featured, Northeast
  • NET Web Desk

Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently tweeted about his interview with Claude Apri on the ‘Philosophy of Arunachal’ which discusses various aspects of his life and how is it interwoven with the spirit of the state. Here are some excerpts of the illusive interview….

After the death of the then CM Dorjee Khandu In April 2011, in a tragic helicopter crash, his elder son Pema succeeded him as the MLA of Mukto in Tawang district; he was then only 32 years old.

Five years later, on July 17, 2016, after a long period of confusion in the state, Pema Khandu took oath as the chief minister; soon after, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. During the 2019 legislative assembly elections, Khandu won a landslide victory with 41 seats out of 60 for the BJP alone.

Apri further wrote in his interview that under Khandu’s leadership, the border state found badly needed stability which helped putting Arunachal Pradesh on fast track development, while preserving its own genius.

Speaking to Claude Apri, Khandu talks about the ‘Philosophy of Arunachal’, his visits to the troops posted at the LAC, but also of the development of the infrastructure, his vision for ‘Low Volume High Value’ (including spiritual) tourism and the importance of ecology for the entire Himalaya.

 ‘Philosophy of NEFA’ 

“The ‘Philosophy of NEFA’ propounded by Verrier Elwin included facilitating the local population to develop on their own genius, respecting tribal rights in land and forests and respecting the social and cultural institutions. These contours are honoured even today. But there is a significant change in the Government of India’s approach to the northeast region, where earlier a Union government’s minister coming even to Guwahati used to become news.”

“Today we have five ministers in the Union council of ministers from the northeast region, including a Cabinet minister from Arunachal Pradesh. Every month we have visits from the Union government bringing in some important development scheme for the people. This signifies a major shift in the mindset and the confidence of New India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The ‘Philosophy of Arunachal Pradesh’ is the same as the ‘Philosophy of New India’ which comes with the awareness of where we stand today and what we wish to achieve.

‘Army Post Visits’

Talking about his visits to the Army posts, Khandu said, “My father served in the Indian Army and having been born and lived most part of my life in the border region of Tawang district in India, I have seen the life of our security forces very closely. Guarding the borders in extreme weather conditions is not easy and most people don’t realize it is a very tough job.”

“By visiting our forces in the forward posts, I am only paying a humble tribute to them for the immense sacrifice they are making for our great nation. I know many other leaders in our country who too visit border regions. Visiting my uniformed brothers in forward posts is a very personal motivation and if other leaders and common people in other states too emulate it, would be a wonderful gesture,” he added.

Narrative of the 1962 War with China

To this, CM Khandu said, “1962 is in the past, We have learned many things and is well prepared for any future eventualities. I fully agree that the Walong sector triumph of our armed forces is under reported. No matter what, the people of Arunachal Pradesh stand resolutely behind the armed forces.”

China is building infrastructure on the other side of the border

“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji in the speech at the UN General Assembly had said, ‘Democracy can deliver, Democracy has delivered.’ People of India and Arunachal Pradesh don’t want to emulate any ‘model of development’ that tramples the liberty and culture of the local people. Indian democracy isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ model. We are working towards providing amenities to the people in the border areas. We are working aggressively to expand our road, rail and air network, improving communication networks and developing infrastructure to improve health and education status of our people.”

He further explained, “The case in point is the Bogibheel bridge and the Dhola-Sadiya bridge which were pending for decades, it used to take hours to cross the Brahmaputra then. Today because of the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the bridges got completed in record pace and can be crossed in minutes. We will get our first airport in 2022 in Itanagar whose foundation was laid in 2019. The Trans Arunachal Highway (about 1,600 km) is almost under completion and the Sela tunnel will make year-round travel to Tawang easy. Eight new ALGs have become functional and around 1,000 new 4G towers are being installed in addition to the ongoing optical fibre projects to enhance digital connectivity. All foothill areas will be connected with a rail network soon.”

Tags: , ,
More Articles