North East Leaders Connect (NELC), a community of like-minded leaders and achievers from the Northeast region, met at the 10th anniversary of the network at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh recently.
The core members of the group adopted the ‘Tawang Declaration’ during their meeting on October 31 and November 1.
“NELC believes that Northeast India is endowed with tremendous natural beauty and geo-strategic importance. The region has inherent potential particularly in the fields of tourism, organic agriculture, horticulture, food processing, handicrafts, music, sports and IT-enabled services. It is important to harness the region’s abundant natural resources in a sustainable and scientific manner, while keeping the local ecology in mind. Achieving this goal will ensure a stronger, resilient and progressive India,” the ‘Tawang Declaration’ read.
Among others, Union minister Kiren Rijiju, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma are the members of the group.
“Guided by the principal understanding that the youth are the future and key to ensuring any sustainable intervention, North East Leaders Connect shall continue to bring together various young minds and leaders. They will be provided a platform to network, be mentored and collaborate towards building a vibrant, dynamic and cohesive Northeast,” a statement from the group said.
Other than Rijiju, Khandu and Sangma, the founding members of North East Leaders Connect includes: Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi, Nagaland legislator Mmhonlumo Kikon, Manipur legislator RK Imo Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev, former India footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, advisor to chief minister of Nagaland and associate vice-president at Athletics Federation of India Abu Metha, entrepreneur Lalrin Tluanga Jahau, Commissioner of Income Tax G Gaichanglungliu Kamei, founder at YouthNet Hekani Jakhalu, founding editor/publisher at Eastern Sentinel Jarpum Gamlin, founder & editor-in-chief at EastMojo Karma Paljor, advisor Mayfair Hotels and director Right Clique Hospitality Bjorn De Niese, managing director at Centre Point Group Enterprise Larsing Ming Sawyan, founder & director at Edu Center Pvt Ltd. Lezo Putsure and founder at EastMojo, Tattva Creations & Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival Tanushree Hazarika.
NELC members include policymakers, business innovators, journalists, social entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare experts, sports personalities, development practitioners and more.
The vision of North East Leaders Connect is ‘to act as a catalyst for the promotion of a vibrant and robust economy, good governance, sustaining the ecology, and preserving our cultural identity to engage our youth and communities in the Northeast’.
