Lalthanhawla, Chief Minister, Mizoram (September 2010)

I am glad to know that the Government of Nagaland in association with World Bamboo Mission is organizing a celebration of the World Bamboo Day along with the North East International Bamboo Festival from 16th-18th September 2010, and that the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre is endeavouring to bring out a special issue of its newsletter (C&B Newsletter) to mark the occasion.

Holding the international bamboo festival in North East India, a region where we find abundant bamboo resources, is truly apt and very reassuring. Bamboo holds a lot of promise to all sections of the society, ranging from unskilled labourers to adept craftsmen, small  scale industries to corporate entities, even though its full potential in generating employment is yet to be harnessed. This valuable resource can also be utilized for addressing the problem of rapid depletion of forests and its versatility offers a wide range of industrial applications.

The festival will provide an excellent platform for showcasing cutting edge technologies and bamboo products, whereby the participants can benefit from the unique exposure. I am sure the deliberations and exchange of views among the participants will evolve ideas for sustainable management and utilization of this versatile resource for the socio-economic improvement of the region.

I convey my best wishes to all the participants and I wish the World Bamboo Day celebration with the North East International Bamboo Festival grand success.