August 27, 2018: Professional activities will get a boost if it can be blended with traditional cultures and local customs, said the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb after inaugurating ‘Annual Boat Racing and Swimming competition’ at Melaghar today. The competition was held as part of valedictory programme of four-day long ‘Neermahal Jal Utsav’. During his speech, the Chief Minister focused upon capitalizing local resources for the benefit of people by linking resources with livelihood. He said, the State govt has initiated steps to organize Utsav and Mela focusing on traditional cultural practices.
Among others, Tourism Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Chief Whip of the Assembly Kalyani Roy, MLA Subhash Ch Das, DM of Sepahijala Brahmit Kaur were also present in the inauguration of Boat racing competition and valedictory programme of the Jal Utsav.
During his speech, Deb said, Neermahal is a historic tourist spot. However, the previous Govt did not pay attention for developing the lives of local people. “The present Govt is working to improve the tourism industry in Neermahal. The Govt is planning to set up tourist circuit connecting Unakoti, Neermahal, Matabari, Chabimura etc”, Deb said.
He focused on tourism as a source of livelihood for people living in Neermahal area and said, sustainable livelihood options need to created and the present Govt has planned to encourage Animal husbandry along with tourism for permanent earning opportunities.
Deb said, “The Animal Resource Development Department (ARDD) will distribute 50 thousand ducklings at subsidized costs. The move will ensure livelihood to local peole and families will earn steadily by selling eggs”. Drawing attention of the Tourism Minister, the Chief Minister said, there are many lakes in the States in which duckery can be introduced through initiatives of ARDD as livelihood options. This move will also augment earning opportunity as well as make the State self-reliant in egg production. He suggested the Fishery Department, Tourism and ARDD to work together and ensure making the State self-reliant in fish production.
The four-day long Neermahal Jal Utsav ended today and during the Utsav several competition including Manasha Mangal, Swimming and Boat Competitions were held as part of the programme. The winners of the competitions were awarded today.
