" I count it as an honour to be here in Mizoram to discharge my responsibilities for the betterment of the state and its people. Ever since my arrival I have been impressed by the warmth and the sincerity radiated by the Mizo people. This happiness I believe stems from the strong community bond that exists among the people, making the Mizos one big and united family," the Governor said in his message aired from AIR, Doordarshan and local cable TVs. Expressing grief over the death of several people following natural disasters in Mizoram, the Governor praised the Mizo traditional values of helping others in times of sorrow.
" This strong bond which binds the Mizos together must continuously be nurtured and strengthened to propel the state towards greater achievements," he said. " Mizoram is a land of great potentials but it is for us to discover and capitalize on them for our benefit. We must work towards making Mizoram a productive land and generate revenues within the State. God has blessed this land with rich natural resources and the most favourable climate. We therefore have the resources, the capabilities and the required human strength. Let us strive with determination and dedication towards making our state not only self-sufficient but a state from which surplus would flow out to neighbouring states and other parts of the country. He reiterated that Mizoram has huge potential in the tourism industry, which is an important service-oriented sector and a composite service provider.
" I am happy to state that the government is focusing on available assets such as eco-tourism, rural tourism, adventure tourism, culture and heritage tourism, religion tourism, nature tourism, film shooting and health/herbal tourism in order to promote tourism and to open avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for the youth," he said. " Measures are being taken to improve our education system and to develop the skills of youth to make it more relevant in context to the fast changing global scenario. I would urge the youth to develop their skills and besides seeking employment in the state government, set up their own industry or look for employment in other parts of the country or in different parts of the world," he said. He also thanked the church leaders, Young Mizo Association and other voluntary organisations for the services being rendered by them towards humanitarian causes and for the improvement of society. " On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of our Independence Day, let us once again join hands and rededicate ourselves to the task of building a strong and united India," he said.