There are journeys that fill the mind, and there are journeys that fill the soul. My recent visit to Assam and Meghalaya was both. It was an experience that left me deeply moved and profoundly inspired.

The breathtaking beauty of the Northeast is matched only by the warmth, simplicity, and indomitable spirit of its people, who have left a lasting impression on me. I return home from this visit with a renewed resolve to work even harder and with greater rigour for the region’s progress and prosperity.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, the government of India is transforming the Northeast into a vibrant centre of connectivity, culture, and commerce. Had it not been for his farsighted vision and ability to turn challenges into opportunities, this resurgence of hope and possibility might still have remained a distant dream.

As the region turns from being landlocked to land-linked, one can feel the pulse of transformation where development walks hand in hand with inclusivity and dignity.

The trip began on a high note with an enterprising visit to the Mushroom Development Centre in Upper Shillong, a quiet revolution in the heart of Meghalaya, where science and community have joined hands to transform rural livelihoods. Established in 1982 under the North Eastern Council, it now houses the newly set up Shiitake Mushroom Production and Training Centre, producing nearly 1.5 lakh sawdust blocks each year, each capable of yielding a kilogram of shiitake mushrooms valued at up to ₹1,000 in the market.

Beyond the numbers, what stayed with me were the faces and stories of the farmers I met, their eyes gleaming with pride as they spoke of how this initiative is driven by a purpose of creating dignified livelihoods, nurturing green entrepreneurship, and growing a truly atmanirbhar (self-reliant) Northeast envisioned by the........

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