On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi called the eight northeast states ‘Ashtalakshmi’ of India and said he is determined to ‘Act East, Act Fast’ by quickly improving the region’s roads, tourism and connections. He spoke in Gangtok to mark Sikkim becoming a state for fifty years, and said that the expressways, ropeways and homestays will increase the number of tourists and the number of jobs.
Sikkim spotlight at statehood milestone
At the closing of the event at Paljor Stadium, Modi said that tourism is Sikkim’s main industry and that how easily people can get around will decide how it grows in the future. He announced plans to make it easier to reach Sikkim, to move around cities in Sikkim more smoothly, and to create new experiences for visitors that will encourage them to stay longer and spend more money.
He explained that improving transport will directly bring more tourists in and create more ways for people in different areas of Sikkim to earn a living. He said this push for improvement is a way of celebrating how far Sikkim has come, and also of preparing for a modern future with good quality buildings and services.
Here are the key projects Modi highlighted for Sikkim’s tourism-led growth:
– Expressway from Bagdogra, West Bengal
– Ring road in Gangtok
– Expressway in Nathula
– Ropeway and skyway projects
– 1,000 homestays for eco-wellness tourism
Act East, Act Fast: the broader frame
Modi repeated that his government is particularly focusing on the northeast. He said Sikkim and the whole region are going to become a centre for growth that looks to the future and is environmentally sustainable. He connected this with growing food without chemicals (organic agriculture) and tourism that is good for the environment, so people’s jobs and income are linked to protecting nature.
Calling the northeast India’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ again, he said the change in direction of policy is both carefully considered and will happen quickly. He said, ‘The government is determined to Act East, Act Fast’, which means work that is waiting to be done and new work will be done with much more speed.
Tourism-led growth and biodiversity
Modi praised Sikkim for the variety of its plant and animal life and how well the people behave. He said that in Sikkim you can really experience nature and culture. He said the clean roads and fresh air show that the people of Sikkim are excellent representatives for protecting the environment.
He encouraged people to visit Sikkim, calling it ‘the heaven of the East’ and pointing out its orchids. He said adventure tourism is getting improved facilities, and the increasing number of homestays will provide more hospitality from local communities and environmentally friendly wellbeing experiences.
Sports and health commitments
Earlier in the day Modi had a game of football with talented young players. He said the government is improving sports facilities in Sikkim, and particularly focusing on football and archery. He said sport helps young people reach their potential and gives them more possibilities in life.
Modi criticized previous Congress governments for delaying development projects and not paying enough attention to healthcare. He said the current government is committed to improving hospitals and providing good, cheap healthcare to the people of Sikkim.
Why it matters for the northeast
Better transport connections, driven by tourism, can greatly help the economies of hilly areas. Sikkim’s projects aim to improve exactly this problem. A fast road from Bagdogra, a road around Gangtok, and new ropeways are all designed to reduce travel time, ease traffic in towns, and open up new routes for travel.
Modi said Sikkim shows the idea of ‘One India, A Great India’ at a time when people are trying to split the country because of religion or political beliefs. By focusing on organic agriculture and eco-wellness, he described the northeast as having an identity based on being environmentally friendly and everyone being able to share in the benefits.
If the plans are carried out quickly, they could completely change how tourists travel and how local businesses work. The government says it intends to quickly turn the ‘Act East’ idea into real things on the ground, making Sikkim and its neighboring states a place that is connected, good for nature, and full of opportunities.
