Chandigarh, March 27 - Development-oriented policies of the Haryana Government and remarkable performance of citizens and institutions in the field of Sports, Industry, Agriculture, Art & Culture have given the state an identity of being the land of opportunities at the global-level. Delegations of Latin American and Caribbean countries were also highly impressed by the story of development of the State on Sunday. The delegation admired the policies, leadership and programme implementation of Haryana candidly and also assured to move forward in various fields with mutual cooperation.
The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, addressed the Haryana-LAC (Latin American and Caribbean Region) Conference, organised in coordination with the Department of Foreign Cooperation, Government of Haryana, at the ongoing 35th International Surajkund Hand Craft Mela at Surajkund on Sunday. The Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, also participated in the programme and appreciated this initiative of the Haryana Government.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has spoken of mutual cooperation with Latin American countries in various fields, including telemedicine, e-governance. Moving forward in this direction, the Haryana Government has also taken the initiative to have a heart-to-heart relationship with its partners under the H to H i.e. Heart to Heart policy, moving a step forward from Government to Government (G2G) and Business to Business (B2B). He specified that the State will work with Latin American and Caribbean countries on both economic and non-economic roadmaps in coordination in the areas of ultra modern urban development, sports, research and development, education, skills and energy etc.
Describing Haryana as the land of opportunities, the Chief Minister said that according to the report of NITI Aayog, Haryana is among the leading states of the country. To bring transparency in the administration work, programmes like e-office, CM Window, Parivar Pehchan Patra, Single Roof System for Businessmen, CSR Trust, Skill Development, Samarpan and Antyodaya etc. were implemented and these have brought in dynamism in the functioning of the administration. He said that this time more than 30 countries, including partner country Uzbekistan have participated in Surajkund Mela. Detailed information has also been given about the progress of Surajkund Mela and Haryana through documentary and power point presentation.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi while welcoming the foreign delegation to the conference said that Surajkund Crafts Mela is one of their favourite destinations. She said that the Chief Minister of Haryana, Sh. Manohar Lal deserves congratulations for the LAC convention. She expressed hope that through this conference, trade relations with India of all countries will be strengthened in various fields as well as new opportunities will be created in various fields. Giving information about the historical prominence of Surajkund, she said that the ancient pond associated with the rulers of Tomar dynasty is still present at this site. Historically, Haryana is a prosperous state. She added that Rakhigarhi is associated with the Harappan civilization, is also located in this region. She said that Haryana’s geographical location is also favourable for investment. Apart from sharing proximity with the national capital Delhi, there is a strong road-rail network in the state and there is a lot of potential here in the fields of agronomy, industry, automobile, tourism etc.
Delegates impressed by the virtues and hospitality of Haryana
After the programme, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal honoured Union Minister, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi and representatives of different countries by presenting a replica of Panchjanya conch shell, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and a shawl. The members of the delegation were very impressed by the development story of Haryana and the respect, hospitality received in the conference. The delegation included Giovanni R. Castillo Polanco from Guatemala, Juan Angulo Monsalev from Chile, Carlos Rafael Polo from Peru, Calaudio Ansorena Monteiro from Costa Rica, Yassil Elins Burrillo Rivera from Panama, David E. Peg Bushel from Dominican Republic, Jason Hall from Jamaica, Colombia Mariana Pesco Montes, Alejandro Simáncas Marine from Cuba, Counselor Stacy Hinds from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Diana Khan, First Secretary from Guyana, and El Salvador representatives were also present.
On this occasion the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister D.S. Dhesi, Principal Secretary, Sh. V Umashankar, Tourism Department Haryana Principal Secretary, Sh. MD Sinha, Principal Secretary Foreign Coordination Department, Sh. Yogendra Chaudhary, Director General Anant Prakash Pandey, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Amit Arya, Advisor Pawan Chaudhary and other officials were also present.