ITANAGAR, Feb 20 � Arunachal Pradesh celebrated its 27th Statehood Day with great pomp and show at the Indira Gandhi Park here today. Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh graced the function as chief guest.
Arunachal Pradesh was granted Statehood on February 20, 1987.
Addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion, Ramesh said that the Centre was committed to speedy development of the frontier State. He, however, said that planning needs to be done differently for different States and government needs a separate policy to further develop the border areas.
�We will leave no stone unturned for development of the State and its border areas,� said the Union Minister to the thunderous applause of the gathering that included Governor Gen (Retd) JJ Singh, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and his Ministerial colleagues among others.
Commenting on the issue of Naga insurgency, the Union Minister said this time the Central Government expects a political consensus on the issue and it will have a direct impact on Tirap and Changlang districts and the State in general.
Yesterday, the Union Minister laid the foundation stone for construction of two PMGSY roads in East Kameng and Changlang districts.
To commemorate the Statehood Day, a three-day �Festival of Arunachal� was organised which was opened by the Union Minister. He also distributed the State Awards.
Earlier, Arunachal Governor Gen JJ Singh said, the State Government was committed to development of the State. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki also addressed the gathering. He promised one job to every family during the next five-year plan.
Besides colourful cultural presentations by artistes from different parts of the State, air show by Sukhoi fighter jets, dropping of petals by IAF helicopters, weapons display by Army, inauguration of exhibition stalls, etc., were the major highlights of the Statehood Day function.
