DIMAPUR, Aug 14 - Nagaland Governor PB Acharya today said it is high time to make the world know that Nagaland and whole of North East have freedom fighters, scholars, well known doctors, literary people, social workers and others and we are all equal.
�We all have participated and contributed equally in the freedom fight,� Acharya said while greeting the people on the eve of 70th Independence Day.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has earmarked Rs 5,000 crore for improving roads and bridges in the North East, Acharya said. For the first time in the history of mountainous State of Nagaland, the laying of the foundation stone for a new broad gauge railway line between Dimapur-Kohima (Zubza) on August 1, which will be completed by 2019, is a great and significant initiative under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.
Maintaining that Nagas have a well knit social organisation which is an excellent example of unity in diversity, he said the State has its own unique culture, society and traditions making it one of the most diverse regions in the North East. It boasts of unparalleled cultural practices, respect for different faiths, tribal life, gender equality, art forms, family values and fierce independence, he added.
On the ongoing talks between the Government of India and NSCN-IM for permanent peace, the Governor said the talks are yielding positive results and hoped that this will bring a new prospect and happy era for all the Nagas.
He further described announcement of 33 per cent reservation for women in the urban local bodies of the State by the Nagaland Government in tune with the constitutional mandate as a welcome step which will empower the womenfolk.
