The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis of IIM Shillong, supported by the North Eastern Council, Government of India, is conducting a 2-day long roundtable discussion on ‘Developing a Framework for Seamless Tourist Movements to the North Eastern States of India’, on May 9 and May 10, 2022, the inaugural ceremony of which was held on Monday at IIM Shillong, Umsawli Campus.
The roundtable discussion was part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India’s independence.
The programme was formally inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by K. Moses Chalai, IAS, secretary, the North Eastern Council, Government of India, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, in the presence of Prof DP Goyal, director IIM Shillong, Dr Sanjeev K Ningombam, centre coordinator of APJ Abdul Kalam Centre and other dignitaries.
K. Moses Chalai, in his address, pointed out the imbalance between infrastructural development and the economic surplus in terms of jobs and income.
He said, “Income generation continues to be a huge area of concern despite massive infrastructural development and tourism can offer the potential for income generation in north-eastern states.”
He also mentioned the flourishing industry of ‘off-road’ tourism which has immense potential in the north-eastern region and could be exploited for attracting tourists.
Prof. DP Goyal, director of IIM Shillong in his address emphasised the need to work at the grassroots to understand the challenges involved in developing a framework for seamless tourist movement.
Prof. Goyal said, “We need to have dynamic, integrated portals providing up-to-date data to help tourists travel seamlessly across the north-eastern region.”
Dr Sanjeev K Ningombam, in his welcome address, touched upon the topic of the lack of data tracking the tourist and his overall contribution to the economy.
Dr Ningombam said, “It is high time we scale up the tourism sector and encash its best potential which can address economic as well as social concerns of the north-eastern region.”
The inaugural ceremony was followed by 3 parallel sessions and 3 common sessions. The roundtable discussion witnessed the participation of delegates and resource persons from all over the north-eastern region.
