The inaugural ceremony of the two-day workshop on “Viksit Assam@ 2047” organised by NITI Aayog in collaboration with Transformation and Development Department and State Innovation and Transformation Aayog, Assam, took place on Thursday. This workshop aimed to foster dialogue and strategic planning for Assam’s progress, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Ranjan Sharma, Special Commissioner& Secretary, Transformation and Development Department, The Special Commissioner extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and participants, emphasising the importance of such collaborative efforts in charting a course for Assam’s future development.
Following the welcome address, Dr. Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam expressed that the Viksit Assam@2047 is not merely a roadmap but a collective commitment to establishing a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Assam. He emphasised that the vision is founded on the principles of equity, innovation, sustainability, and integrity, aiming to ensure that development benefits every citizen. Dr. Kota highlighted key areas of focus, including nurturing families through quality education, accessible healthcare, and living wages for all; fostering harmonious communities through community development, social justice, and environmental sustainability; and promoting a thriving economy by embracing advancements like Industrial Revolution 4.0, resilient smart agriculture, and effective governance. He called upon all stakeholders to collaborate in shaping a future where Assam thrives with opportunity, resilience, and collective strength.
Dr. Neelam Patel, Project Director of Assam, NITI Aayog, delivered the opening remarks where Dr. Patel provided a comprehensive overview of Vision Assam 2047, highlighting the key objectives of this ambitious initiative. She outlined Assam’s strengths and areas for improvement, stressing the need for a unified approach to ensure sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and social development.
The event’s highlight was the keynote address delivered by Prof. Vinod Paul, Member, NITI Aayog. Prof. Vinod Paul emphasised that achieving a developed nation (‘Viksit Rashtra’) necessitates the advancement of its states, positioning Assam’s progress as a national priority. He highlighted Assam’s untapped resources and its youthful population as key assets for economic development. Prof. Paul advocated for a focus on women’s development to drive inclusive growth and reduce disparities. He also stressed the importance of embracing emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, to enhance the state’s educational and economic landscape.
Dr O P Agarwal, distinguished fellow of NITI Aayog presented an in-depth analysis of Assam’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) as part of the state’s roadmap for the future. His address underscored the significance of identifying both challenges and opportunities to craft a holistic, forward-looking development plan for Assam.
The ceremony concluded with the vote of thanks by the P Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, CEO, SITA Assam, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, participants, and organisers for their invaluable contributions. He reaffirmed SITA Assam’s commitment to supporting the state’s vision for a prosperous and sustainable future by leveraging technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships. The Two- day workshop will include a series of discussions, presentations, and collaborative sessions that will focus on building a roadmap for Assam’s growth and aligning the state’s objectives with the broader national development goals. The day one workshop included several interactive sessions where speakers and experts engaged in discussions to identify concrete steps towards building a resilient future for Assam. Significant sessions on state of economy of Assam and its issues, Assam Tourism sector and its potential growth, innovations and initiatives to enhance Assam’s food and horticulture landscape
