Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30:
Laying bare the priorities of the North Eastern Council clear, its Secretary Dr Kamal Taori today said that development of the rural areas is high on the agenda of the Council.
Addressing a press conference at RIMS guest house today, Dr Taori, who is a Gandhian, said that development of the rural areas should be given the topmost priority and added that development should not be seen in the index of only the urban areas.
Dr Taori along with some other NEC members arrived at Imphal yesterday on a four day visit.
Urging all the member States to be realistic and practical, Dr Taori said that there should be no illusion that the NEC will automatically pour in funds for any developmental projects.
Stressing on the importance of public co-operation and involvement in making any developmental projects successful, Dr Taori said that merely pumping in funds will not work as long as the people are not involved.
Citing the example of Padmashree Laishram Nabakishore, who has earned a name for curing kidney stone cases, the NEC Secretary said that commitments to one's work coupled with a sense of social responsibility are the need for any work to be successful.
Nabakishore was present at the media conference at the personal invitation of Dr Taori.
The NEC Secretary further said that due encouragements should be given to all those pursuing the traditional method of curing the sick and ailing and assured that he (Taori) will give all possible assistance to Nabakishore.
Stating that he wants of the people practising traditional method of treating the sick, Dr Taori said that there is the growing need to cultivate the indigenous medicinal plants of the region.
Spelling out his programmes, Dr Taori said that he has come here to get a first hand account of the situation in Manipur and added that he has visited some rural areas to see the living conditions and well as the source of income of the people there.
Setting the record straight, Dr Taori said there is no plan to shift RIMS from Manipur.