PM unveils a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion

Northeast is the 'Ashtalakshmi' of India: PM

Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is a celebration of the brighter future of the Northeast. It is a festival of a new dawn of development, propelling the mission of a Viksit Bharat forward: PM

We are connecting the Northeast with the trinity of Emotion, Economy and Ecology: PM

New Delhi: PM Modi inaugurated the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. Welcoming all the dignitaries to the event, Mr. Modi remarked that it was the Mahaparinirvana Divas of Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar. He added that the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar, which completed 75 years, is a great inspiration to all the citizens. Mr. Modi paid homage to Babasaheb Ambedkar on behalf of all the citizens of India. 

Noting that Bharat Mandapam had been a witness to many national and international events over the past 2 years including the successful organization of G20 meeting, Mr.Modi remarked that today’s event was even more special. He added that the event had made the entire Delhi glisten with diverse shades of North-East India. Adding that the first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav will be celebrated over the next 3 days, Mr. Modi said the event would display the potential of entire North-East India to the country and the world. He added that the event would witness many business agreements and also display various products from the North-East along with the culture, cuisine and other attractions. He further added that the event would also inspire the people from the achievements of various achievers, including Padma awardees who were present. Terming the event as unique and first of its kind, Shri Modi said the event would open doors to huge investment opportunities in North East India. He added this was a great opportunity for the farmers, workers and craftsmen along with the investors across the world. Remarking that exhibitions at the event displayed the diversity and the potential of North-East India, Shri Modi congratulated and gave his best wishes to the organizers of Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, people of North-East India and the investors.

Mr. Modi said that in the last 100 to 200 years, everyone witnessed the rise of the Western world and the Western region has had an influence on the world at every level - economic, social and political. He added that India too had incidentally seen the influence of Western region and its role in its growth story. Mr. Modi remarked that after the West-centric period, the 21st century belongs to the East, that is Asia and India. Shri Modi expressed his firm belief that in the times to come, India’s growth story also belongs to Eastern India, and Northeast in particular. He added that in the past decades, India had seen the emergence of big cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad. Mr. Modi stressed that in the coming decades, India will see the new potential of cities like Ashtalakshmi would play a major role in that.

Touching upon the Indian tradition, the Prime Minister said that Goddess Lakshmi is called the goddess of happiness, health and prosperity. Listing the eight forms of the Goddess Lakshmi, he added that all eight forms are worshipped whenever Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Similarly, Shri Modi said that Ashtalakshmi of eight states was present in the Northeast of India namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. He added that the eight forms of Asthalakshmi are represented in these eight states of the North East. 

Remarking that the first form was Adi Lakshmi, Shri Modi said that the Adi culture is strongly spread in every state of our North East. Noting that every state of the North East India celebrated its own tradition and culture, the Prime Minister listed Cherry Blossom Festival of Meghalaya, Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, Orange Festival of Arunachal, Chapchar Kut Festival of Mizoram, Bihu of Assam, Manipuri Dance and added that there was such great diversity in the North East India.

Discussing the second form of Goddess Lakshmi - Dhan Lakshmi, the Prime Minister said the North East was blessed with abundant natural resources with a great confluence of minerals, oil, tea gardens and bio-diversity. He added that there was a huge potential of renewable energy and this blessing of "Dhan Lakshmi" was a boon for the entire North East.