Addressing the first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav to celebrate the vibrancy of the northeast, the prime minister said the future belongs to the eastern India and the northeast, and the 21st century was poised to be the century of the East.

“In the last decade, Union ministers have made more than 700 visits to the Northeast connecting the region with trinity of emotion, economy, and ecology,” Modi said, pointing to his BJP-led NDA government’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure in the region and empower its people.

The government led by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first to create a dedicated ministry for the northeast and also earmarked 20% budget of every ministry for its development, he said.

“For a long time, we have seen how development was weighed against votes. Northeastern states had less votes and low seats so previous governments did not pay attention to the development of the region,” Modi said, adding that during the last decade his government has ensured that both “Dil ki doori and Dilli se doori” (gap of heart and Delhi with the northeast) have been reduced.

The first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is being celebrated from December 6 to 8 at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The event aims to showcase the beauty, diversity, and promise of the eight states of northeastern states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim —collectively known as the Ashtalakshmi.