GUWAHATI, Nov 22 ? Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that the India-ASEAN car rally would give an opportunity to Assam and other parts of North-east India in their journey into the future because of the improvement of the country's ties with the ASEAN countries.
Ceremonially flagging off the first India-ASEAN car rally at a colourful function at the Nehru Stadium here this afternoon in presence of External Affiars Minister Natwar Singh, Minister in charge of DoNER PR Kyndiah, Secretary General of the ASEAN and a host of other dignitaries, the Prime Minister said that the rally would give a boost to tourism and trade and commerce in the northeastern region.
He said that historically the northeastern part of India had close cultural tries with the ASEAN countries till colonialisation of India and " we are now rediscovering the age old relations." He said that the trade and cultural bond between India and ASEAN countries is now being strengthened and pointed out that the fresh efforts would bring closer the people of India, particularly the people of the North-east with the ASEAN countries.
Dr Singh said that the northeastern states are Indian's gateway to the ASEAN and the national common minimum programme highlighted the determination of the Central Government to give special assistance to upgrade and expand infrastructure in the region. He said that the North Eastern Council would be strengthened and given professional support.
The Prime Minister said that considerable progress has been made in the way of strengthening the bond between India and the ASEAN countries and he would also attend a conference between India and ASEAN countries to be held at Laos. He said that the new efforts would strengthen the economical, cultural and psychological bond between the people of the ASEAN countries with India.
He pointed out that in the era of globalisation and improvement of connectivity, the North-east, with its natural resources, has tremendous opportunities to prosper through improved ties with the ASEAN countries. He also said that he was proud to be a part of the inaugural ceremony of the first India-ASEAN car rally. He also assured that steps would be taken for resuming the Guwahati-Bangkok flight to improve connectivity to the region.
The Secretary General of the ASEAN, Ong Keng Yong said that the first ever such car rally, which would conclude at Batam in Indonesia covering a distance of eight thousand kilometres, would bring the people of India and the ASEAN countries closer. He said that the Rally is scheduled to be concluded in the second week of December.
He also announced that the heads of India and ASEAN countries would meet at the capital of Laos on November 30 and another ceremony of the rally would be held there on that day. He also described the colourful ceremony as a "display of Indian colours and spirits."
Welcoming the dignitaries and the participants, the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi said that the rally brought the North-east, particularly Guwahati into focus and underscored the importance of the region in building trade, commerce and people to people links between India and ASEAN countries.
The rally also brought into sharp focus the close proximity between north-east India with the ASEAN countries and it can play a vital role in reviving the centuries-old routes, he added. He expressed the hope that the road and rail links between North-east and South-east Asia through Myanmar would be opened soon.
He gave an account of the historical links between North-east and the ASEAN countries and observed that the ancient silk route has fallen into disuse due to geographical and political reasons. The historic road connecting India and Myanmar passing through Tinsukia district of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh can always be developed as a vibrant means of communication for trade and commerce with Myanmar, China and other places of SE Asia.
The Chief Minister said that Assam is a perfect destination for investors as it is the gateway to the North-east and has vast natural resources like oil, minerals etc. He said that Assam has the potential to emerge as a strategic base for foreign and domestic investors. The chairman of the national advisory committee of the rally SK Munjal offered the vote of thanks. The rally will formally start tomorrow from the Judges Field at 6 am.
Despite the bandh call by the VHP and tight security measures, a large crowd, mostly enthusiastic school children gathered at the Nehru Stadium to witness the ceremonial flagging off the rally and they enjoyed every minute of the colourful show.
The most enjoyable part of the show included skydiving by the paratroopers of the Indian Army, who jumped out of the choppers at a height of 4,000 feet and the school children cheered them all the way down to the ground. The only hitch was that one of the paratroopers was injured when he collided with a tree on his way down as he was apparently swept away by the wind.
The motorcycle show by the daredevils of the Army also drew loud cheers from the crowd as they displayed their talents on the two wheelers. The other highlights of the programme included performances by school children and traditional dances of all the northeastern states.