Union Home Minister Amit Shah kicks off 'Vibrant Villages Programme' in Arunachal's border village Kibithoo

The border village of Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh was the venue for the launch of the 'Vibrant Villages Programme' by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday.

During the event, he reiterated the government's commitment to the security of the nation, stating that the security of the border is of utmost importance.

Home Minister Shah also inaugurated nine micro hydel projects of the Arunachal Government and 14 infrastructure projects of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) with a total worth of Rs.120 crore.

Under the government's 'Vibrant Villages Program', which covers 2967 villages in 46 blocks of 19 districts along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh, comprehensive development will be taken up.

In the first phase, a population of approximately 1.42 Lakh will be covered in 662 villages across 11 districts, 28 blocks, and 1451 villages, with a budget of Rs. 4800 crores from 2022 to 2026.

Speaking at the event, Home Minister Shah stressed that these villages would be developed on three levels, with the government making sure that everyone in the area has access to basic services and receives benefits from various programs.

In addition to maintaining the native language and culture, development efforts will also aim to boost tourism. With a five-year plan to restore normalcy in villages devastated by migration, the government hopes to accomplish these goals through the three-phase Vibrant Villages Program implementation.

During his speech, Shah emphasized how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly changed people’s perception of border villages. He added that people visiting border areas now view them as the first village of India instead of the last village, which is a testament to the efforts of the government.

According to the Union Minister, the people of Arunachal Pradesh greet each other by saying "Jai Hind," which reflects their strong attachment to India. He acknowledged that ten years ago, there was migration from border villages, but the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have brought development to these regions.

The nine micro-hydel projects with a combined capacity of 725 KW and an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore have been launched to give power to communities in the difficult terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.

Amit Shah drew attention to the creation of 6,600 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Arunachal Pradesh, which have given more than 53,000 women greater options for work. He also stressed how Prime Minister Modi's Look East strategy has been successful in getting the Northeast recognized as a region that contributes to the growth of the nation.

Several dignitaries also attended the event, including the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, the Union Home Secretary, and the Director General of ITBP.