Photo: Hindustan TimesNew Delhi: Dubbing north-eastern states as ‘Ashtalakshmi’ that can take India to new heights, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said the government is focusing on reducing isolation of the eastern region and the North-East by improving connectivity. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, Mukherjee said India is opening up road and rail routes to neighbouring countries in South-East Asia to boost economic development of the region. “My government sees the north-eastern states as Ashtalakshmi that can take India to new heights. We are opening up road and rail routes to our neighbouring countries to boost the economic development of the region,” the President said. Paying special attention to the region’s natural landscape, Mukherjee said: “The beauty and diversity of the North-East makes it a natural hub for tourism.

Source: Mint January 31, 2017 08:13 UTC