NITI Aayog Member Dr Joram Aniya concluded a four-day Manipur visit after reviewing development programmes, meeting officials and visiting key institutions and districts.
Imphal, Sept. 30: NITI Aayog Member Dr Joram Aniya concluded her four-day visit to Manipur on Wednesday after reviewing developmental initiatives across several sectors and visiting institutions, heritage sites, sports facilities and aspirational districts in the state.
The visit, held from September 27 to 30, provided an opportunity for Dr Aniya to interact with the State Government, officials and stakeholders and assess development priorities, ongoing programmes and challenges across different sectors.
On the first day, September 27, Dr Aniya arrived at Imphal Airport, where she was received by Commissioner (GAD) Armstrong Pame, IAS, Director (Planning) Dr R.K. Radhesana Devi and Joint Director (Planning) R.K. Tombisana Singh.
She subsequently visited Ima Keithel, where she interacted with representatives of the Kheithel Imas. She also witnessed a polo exhibition match at Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground and interacted with polo players.
Later, Dr Aniya visited the Marjing Polo Complex and the sacred site of Ebudhou Marjing, where she offered prayers.
On September 28, she visited the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal, where she delivered a lecture, released a book and interacted with scientists.
She also held a courtesy meeting with the Governor of Manipur and visited Shree Shree Govindaji Temple. Her programme for the day included a visit to the National Sports University/SAI NERC Centre, where she interacted with sportspersons.
Dr Aniya later convened a meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Mantripukri, with the Chief Secretary and senior officials from the Departments of Tourism, Art & Culture, Youth Affairs & Sports and School Education.
During the review meeting, the departments presented an overview of their respective sectors, including recent initiatives, upcoming projects and operational challenges.
Following the presentations, directions were issued to the leadership of the departments concerned, including Tourism, Art & Culture, Youth Affairs & Sports, School Education, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Health, and Agriculture and Allied sectors.
The departments were instructed to undertake detailed planning of development programmes and align and converge existing schemes and programmes with the broader national objective of achieving a Viksit Bharat, according to the press note.
On September 29, Dr Aniya visited the Imphal Peace Museum, INA Memorial at Moirang, Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park. She then proceeded to the aspirational blocks in Churachandpur to review the local developmental context and ongoing initiatives.
She also held a courtesy meeting with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. According to the press note, discussions covered issues concerning Manipur and the state's development priorities.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his desire to launch the State Institute of Transformation (SIT) under NITI Aayog and requested Dr Aniya to attend the launch.
On the concluding day, September 30, Dr Aniya visited Kangla before proceeding to Andro, where she visited the Heritage Village and Panam Ningthou Immortal Fire.
She then travelled to Chandel district, an Aspirational District, where she planted a sapling as part of environmental and developmental activities.
In Chandel, Dr Aniya inspected various development programmes, including residential and library buildings at the district headquarters taken up under NITI Aayog, as well as the District Hospital.
She subsequently convened a meeting at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Chandel to review development activities and initiatives being implemented in the district.
After completing her programme, Dr Aniya returned to Imphal and departed for Delhi in the evening.
The four-day visit provided an opportunity for interaction between NITI Aayog and the Government of Manipur on development-related issues and enabled the NITI Aayog Member to gain first-hand exposure to the state's cultural heritage, natural resources, sports ecosystem, institutional capacities and ongoing development programmes.
The visit was coordinated by the Planning Department of the Government of Manipur in coordination with concerned departments, district administrations and other stakeholders.
