Narendra Modi Calls Northeast ‘Ashtalakshmi’, Highlights Assam’s Transformation and Targets Congress
- MGMMTeam
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Northeast as “Ashtalakshmi,” symbolising prosperity, strength, and opportunity, during a major public address in Assam. He emphasised that the region has moved to the centre of India’s development agenda in recent years, with the government focusing on infrastructure expansion, connectivity, and economic growth. The Prime Minister stated that the Northeast is no longer viewed as a distant frontier but as a key driver of national progress and a gateway to Southeast Asia.
He also highlighted how policy attention and investment have increased significantly, aiming to unlock the region’s natural resources, tourism potential, and human capital. According to him, this renewed focus is helping integrate the Northeast more closely with the rest of the country while preserving its unique cultural identity.
Infrastructure Growth and Strategic Development
A major theme of the Prime Minister’s speech was the transformation in infrastructure across the region. He pointed to improved highways, bridges, rail networks, and digital connectivity as evidence of rapid progress. Special emphasis was placed on the construction of bridges over the Brahmaputra River, which have historically been critical for transportation and economic activity in the state.
During the visit, development projects worth thousands of crores were inaugurated or reviewed, including educational institutions, transport infrastructure, and defence-related facilities. One of the most notable developments was the Emergency Landing Facility built near Dibrugarh, designed to allow aircraft to land on highways during emergencies. Such infrastructure enhances both civilian preparedness and strategic defence capabilities in a sensitive border region, reflecting a broader approach that combines development with national security considerations.
The Prime Minister also spoke about Assam’s evolving economy, describing its transition from a traditional tea-based economy to emerging sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and digital services. This shift, he suggested, would create employment opportunities for youth and position the state as an innovation hub in eastern India.
Political Criticism of Congress
Alongside development messaging, Modiji launched a strong political attack on the Indian National Congress, accusing it of neglecting the Northeast during its decades in power. He alleged that inadequate infrastructure investment and poor governance had contributed to instability and underdevelopment in the region. According to him, earlier governments failed to recognise the Northeast’s potential and strategic importance.
He contrasted this with the achievements of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led administrations, arguing that recent years have witnessed unprecedented development and connectivity improvements. The Prime Minister asserted that policy decisions taken over the past decade have begun to reverse historical neglect and create long-term growth momentum for the region.
The Northeast in India’s Future Growth Story
The speech also reflected a broader narrative positioning the Northeast as a central pillar of India’s future. By referring to the region as “Ashtalakshmi,” the government aims to symbolically connect development with prosperity and cultural richness. Increased investment in transport corridors, education, healthcare, and industry suggests a strategy to transform the region into an economic and strategic hub.
The emphasis on connectivity with neighbouring countries further indicates the Northeast’s potential role in trade and diplomacy, especially under India’s Act East policy framework. As infrastructure gaps close and economic opportunities expand, the region is expected to play a larger role in national development.
The MGMM Outlook
The emphasis by Narendra Modi on the Northeast as “Ashtalakshmi” reflects a deliberate attempt to reposition the region particularly Assam from historical marginalisation to a central role in India’s development narrative. The visible expansion of highways, bridges, rail connectivity, and strategic infrastructure signals a shift toward integrating the region economically and logistically with the national mainstream. Development initiatives combined with defence preparedness, such as emergency landing facilities and border-sensitive infrastructure, highlight how growth and security are being pursued simultaneously in a geopolitically important corridor. The stress on new sectors beyond tea, including technology and manufacturing, indicates a broader ambition to create employment opportunities and prevent youth out-migration while strengthening the region’s long-term economic base.
At the same time, the political critique directed at the Indian National Congress serves to reinforce a governance contrast narrative promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party, portraying recent years as a turning point after decades of neglect. Framing Northeast India as a future gateway to Southeast Asia aligns with India’s broader strategic and trade ambitions, suggesting that sustained infrastructure investment could transform the region into a major economic hub. The combination of symbolic messaging, development claims, and political positioning illustrates how regional transformation is being used both as a policy objective and as a narrative of national progress.
(Sources: India TV News, Business Standard, Economic Times)
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