An important cog in the wheel of India’s declared “look east” policy Mizoram has come calling to Kolkata for investment, embarking on “roadshows” much like other ambitious States.
Flagging off a roadshow and interactive meet in Kolkata — attended amongst others by a cluster of corporate honchos, diplomats from countries such as France, Russia etc tour and travel operators. Mizoram CM lal Thanhawla said his State was prepared to usher in a new era of development in what he called “magnetic Mizoram.”
With the Central Government laying special emphasis and having a focused approach of putting the North East in the spotlight of growth and development Mizoram was ready and raring to take off, the Chief Minister said.
He said his State had all the necessary spurs like second highest literacy rate in the country, keen and skilled population eager to join start-up projects, a stable Government and excellent law and order situation coupled with natural resources and some exquisite and unexplored tourist destinations.
The roadshow aimed at generating awareness about Mizoram, State Finance Minister lalsawta said his was perhaps the only region that could boast of “unmanned shops” not run by hi-tech facilities but by sheer honesty and mutual trust of the people.
“You can see hundreds of shops without shopkeepers -perhaps only sight in the country. There you can go, pick up your material, drop the price written on it and leave; no one will question you. Such is the level of honesty and mutual trust in Mizoram,” the Minister said.
Expressing his satisfaction with the summit that drew an instant investment proposal of Rs 1,000 crore in solar energy sector, the Chief Minister said “the summit would usher in a new era of collaboration not only for investments but also for new skills and advanced production and technology in various sectors.”
Mizoram had a good health services record despite the fact that there was no medical college or superspeciality hospital the Chief Minister said welcoming efforts by groups to open counters in his State.
“There are big scopes for investment in fields like energy, power, oil and natural gas bamboo, wines, handicrafts and handlooms, Moga silk, horticulture as well as adventure sports and tourism he maintained.
On the “vast and virgin” tourism sector Mizoram boasted of waterfalls, national parks, tall Himalayan peaks, lakes he said adding the State housed the largest surviving family on earth with the family head Pu Ziona being the “proud owner of 39 wives, 89 children and 69 grand children.”