Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underscored that India’s Northeast has moved beyond being just the nation’s frontier — it now stands as the country’s forward face.
Responding to an article authored by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Prime Minister shared on X that the minister’s reflections capture both the breathtaking charm of the region and the indomitable spirit of its people. “In this insightful piece, Union Minister JM Scindia beautifully describes his journey through the Northeast — a region of natural splendour and boundless human resilience,” PM Modi wrote.
Referring to the Northeast as ‘Ashtalakshmi’ — symbolising eight forms of prosperity — Scindia described it as India’s natural gateway to Southeast Asia. He highlighted that as infrastructure and connectivity expand, the region is transforming from a remote frontier into a dynamic hub of progress and opportunity.
Recounting his recent visit to Assam and Meghalaya, Scindia said the experience left him “deeply moved and profoundly inspired.” “The Northeast’s stunning landscapes are rivalled only by the warmth and simplicity of its people,” he wrote, adding that he returned from the visit “with renewed determination to accelerate the region’s journey towards prosperity.”
The minister credited Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for catalysing this transformation, saying, “The government’s vision has turned the Northeast into a vibrant centre of connectivity, culture, and commerce. Without his foresight and resolve, this resurgence of hope might still have remained a distant dream.”
Scindia noted that the region’s evolution from being landlocked to land-linked is redefining its identity. “You can feel the heartbeat of transformation — where progress coexists with inclusivity and dignity,” he observed.
During his visit, Scindia also toured the Mushroom Development Centre in Upper Shillong — a pioneering example of science and community collaboration driving rural development. Established in 1982 under the North Eastern Council, the centre now hosts the newly launched Shiitake Mushroom Production and Training Centre. It produces nearly 1.5 lakh sawdust blocks annually, each capable of yielding a kilogram of shiitake mushrooms worth up to Rs 1,000.
“What touched me most were the stories behind the numbers — the pride in the eyes of farmers whose lives have been transformed,” Scindia said. “This initiative embodies the spirit of dignified livelihoods, green entrepreneurship, and the Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) Northeast envisioned by our Prime Minister.”