“As initiatives over the past seven and a half years reveal, development, peace and prosperity have been the top priorities for the Central government”, the vice-president said and cited the example of the historic Karbi Anglong Agreement to end the decades-old crisis ensuring Assam’s territorial integrity.

Naidu expressed confidence that Assam will be a shining example of development in the Northeast. He also referred to the Central government’s thrust to improve air connectivity in the Northeastern region.

The vice-president said the government’s focus on the need for accelerated progress of the Northeast can be gauged from a range of initiatives, including the NER District SDG Index and Dashboard, a collaborative effort by NITI Aayog and Ministry of DoNER, with technical support from UNDP. He said it is the first of its kind in the country and of critical significance to the country’s development curve.

Naidu presented the ‘Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Award for National Integration and Contribution’ to three recipients—eminent writer and scholar Nirode Kumar Barooah, Members of Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Members of the Shillong Chamber Choir on Sunday.

Paying tributes to freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Assam, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi, the vice-president said Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi was a visionary leader whose unparalleled contribution to protecting India’s integrity and sovereignty in the turbulent times of partition deserved a special mention.

"Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi’s statesman-like personality had transcendental appeal and people across communities, denominations and political affiliations looked up to him. While more than seven decades have lapsed since his premature demise, he occupies a revered place in the hearts of the people of Assam in particular, and of the Nation in general," the vice-president added.