I would, first of all, like to thank all of you for making the Congress party win the last Assembly and Lok Sabha elections by huge margins. Along with this, I would also like to congratulate the Chief Minister, Mr. Meti, his fellow ministers, legislators and all our brothers and sisters in Arunachal on completing a year in office and giving Arunachal a stable Congress government. I thank the Chief Minister that on this happy occasion he invited me here and gave me an opportunity to meet all of you.

Our family has held you in great affection right from the days of Nehru. Indiraji and Rajivji always said that the people here have pure hearts, pleasant dispositions and patriotism. You want to live in peace. You have never allowed anti-national forces to take root here.

Your culture and customs have a distinction of their own. Nehruji's and Indiraji's stand on adivasi traditions was clear. They wanted that you to be educated to face the demands of the modern world and that the new generation progresses but stay away from the evils of modernity. They wanted your basic traditions to stay intact and your culture to flourish.

Rajivji felt strongly that the development of adivasis could only happen when power was in their hands. That is why he gave Arunachal Pradesh statehood. I remember that February day in 1987 when he personally came to Itanagar to inaugurate the new state. I was with him and all of you welcomed us with such affection that I will never forget it.

Rajivji's intention was that each and every village in India should develop. That is why he initiated the movement to strengthen the panchayati raj from a new perspective. When, due to his influence, the new panchayati raj law was made, positions had been reserved for adivasis, dalits and women in it. Though there were some problems in enforcing the provisions of the panchayati raj in Arunachal Pradesh; these have been removed by your government's and the Congress party's request to Centre. I am sure that once panchayats start functioning in the villages here, the work of development will progress with great speed.

Now a days the biggest problem in the villages is the unemployment of the youth. When they are jobless, anti-nationalist and anti-social elements easily lead them astray. I know the State government is short of funds. It is not getting as much help and assistance from the Centre as it should be. Inspite of this , I hope our State government will encourage cottage/village industries and that an attempt will be made to implement the Employment Assurance Schemes.

You lack no natural wealth. However, it is very necessary to not misuse the same. Care must be taken to preserve the jungles here. There is a lot of scope to develop the hydroelectric potential of this place. Electricity from here will not only benefit Arunachal Pradesh, but also other regions. The Centre should lend its support to this.

Like I said before, what sets you apart is your peace-loving nature. You live in mutual amiability. However, we need to be constantly on the alert. Without peace and cordiality, development and economic progress are not possible. Those states beset by terrorism, are slipping behind in terms of development. When there is unrest in one state, it affects the neighbouring states as well.

It is a matter of great pleasure that the Chief Ministers of North-Eastern states have come together on a common platform to increase mutual cooperation and friendship. I hope that their combined effort will bring peace back to the North-East region. However, they will be successful in this effort only if they get the full support of the people of these regions. That is why I ask you to extend your full support to everything your Chief Minister Mr. Meti does in public interest.

When the Congress was in power at the Centre and in the states, there was all-round development and progress. The world used to take note of India seriously. However, unfortunately, in the last few years unprincipled, opportunistic coalitions have been ruling in the Centre. They made big promises to the people to come to power and promised to employ lakhs of people and banish unemployment. However, as a result of their mistaken policies, inflation and poverty are on the rise.

The hopes of new industries and jobs are disappearing. As a result of their actions, the future of the nation's youth seems bleak. With governments like this, how can the nation progress? Recently only, the price of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas has been hiked once again. It is only natural that inflation will rise. The effect of this is already visible in this region.

We have decided to oppose the Centre's anti-people policies. Being the main opposition party we will place the people's case before the government and raise our voices against the hardships of the people. This is our duty. I would also like you to maintain your social unity at all costs. The Bhartiya Janata Party and its allies let loose poison into society and set brothers at each other's neck. However, now the nation has seen its real face. I have full faith that you will not let their unholy intentions to be fulfilled in this beautiful place. The Congress considers all faiths the same. We desire unity and fraternity in society and will always pursue this path.

Our brothers and sisters of Arunachal suffered greatly on account of the recent flash floods in its western regions. I have asked the Chief Ministers of Congress ruled states to extend help. On their behalf and on behalf of the Congress party I had earlier given ten lakh rupees for relief and am now giving forty lakh rupees. I hope that our Arunachal government is doing everything possible to aid and help you. I express my sympathies to all affected by the floods.