Centre committed to Arunachal's economic development: Sonia

Itanagar, Nov 5 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh with its vast natural resources could be a model state in the country and the Centre was giving special attention in this regard, UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said.

Laying the foundation stone of the 1500 MW Hydel Project to be executed by the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and college of science and technology and arts and commerce on the sidelines of the three-day Buddha Mahotsava beginning at Tawang this morning, Ms Gandhi laid emphasis on development of the tourism sector, which would boost overall development of the state besides creating employment opportunities to the local uemployed youths.

She also said the Centre would help in the proper utilisation of the state's hydro power potential, informed official sources.

Announcing that the Centre had taken special initiative to develop Buddhist cultural places of Tawang, Buddha Gaya, Nalanda and Sarnath in the country, the Congress chief informed that a committee in this regard had been formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to formulate measures for developing these important cultural sites.

Ms Gandhi, who offered prayers and had a ''Darshan'' of the Buddha's deity in the sanctum sanctorum of the Tawang Monastry, stressed that ''These important seats of Buddhist culture have to be preserved and developed.'' Describing Tawant as a ''heaven of peace', Ms Gandhi said the state with its snow-capped mountains and numerous lakes and waterfalls had tremendous potential to attract tourists.

Ms Gandhi was attired in a Tibetan outfit consisting of a bright red ''Shinka'' (Monpa gown), Kyanchantun (Top) and ''Phringa (local necklace).

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