Europe explores Nagaland investment potential

KOHIMA: European ambassadors visiting the state met senior government officials at the Heritage, Kohima on Monday for a brief interaction on investment avenues in various sectors in the state. The meeting was hosted by Nagaland state chief secretary, Lalthara.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Lalthara said that the European Union is an exemplary set-up - a global village where boundaries are respected but there is freedom to move within the European countries - and the world should learn from it.
Lalthara gave a brief overview of the troubled history of Nagaland. He, however, added that the state is growing with the rest of the country and is a good place to invest.
The European delegates were on their second visit to the northeast and explained that the purpose of their visit was to improve the relationship between India and European countries.
The visiting ambassadors, who hailed from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, also visited Nagaland University, Kohima campus, Meriema.
Interacting with the vice-chancellor, academic staff and students of Nagaland University, the dignitaries said that as ambassadors, part of their mission is to discover the country and to work more closely with India. They also remarked how impressive it is to see so many young women in the university like in European countries. They said participation of women is important for the transformation of their role in society.
The visiting ambassadors also stressed on cooperation between European and Indian varsities and to promised to create opportunities for exchange of students and faculties between Nagaland University and European varsities.
Nagaland University vice-chancellor B K Konwar gave a speech on 'Nagaland University in Perspective' on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the European ambassadors held a meeting with leaders of political parties at Nagaland Assembly, Committee Hall, Kohima today. The meeting was presided over by speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie.
Peseyie said a chance to interact with ambassadors of European countries is rare and expressed hope that the meeting would be a good beginning. The visitors said that the objective of their visit is to understand the Indian diversity and to understand Nagaland better and its challenges for economic development in Nagaland in particular.
Minister for higher education and NPF president Shurhozelie highlighted the challenges of economic advancement and added that the visit is unique and will be a milestone in the history of the Nagas. He said that the formation of the Nagaland Legislative Forum of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, comprising all elected members of the NLA, is a big boost to finding a solution to the long-drawn Naga political problem. He called upon the visiting ambassadors for their support and suggestion to the Indian government for finding a solution to the Naga political issue.
MLA and senior Congress member K V Pusa briefed the delegates about the Naga people living in neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and one-third of the Naga population living in Myanmar. Replying to questions put forward by the ambassador of Finland on the participation of women in Naga society, he said that they receive equal rights as men.
Tokheho Yepthomi from Congress and leader of the opposition said that Nagas are still economically backward, but the visit of Europeans ambassadors and its outcome would lessen the problem.