Former Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

PM's remarks at the inauguration of BSNL's Mobile service in Nagaland

~Hello, Shourie ji. I am happy to bring Nagaland on the mobile phone map of India by making this first call to you.

First of all, I convey my greetings to the people of Nagaland.

My hearty congratulations to the Ministry of Communications. My special kudos to BSNL for starting its cellular service in Nagaland.

The people of Nagaland had been waiting for this day for quite some time. But, as they say,

The coming of mobile phone service to Nagaland is yet another sign of the changing times. I am sure that this process of positive change will further speed up in the time to come.

Arunji, I must confess that I don’t know how the mobile phone technology works! But I do know that –

• It is all about talking.

• It is all about connecting people.

• It is all about removing distances.

• And it is all about making life better.

Therefore, today my message to the people of Nagaland is this:

• Let the talks continue.

• Let the dialogue proceed.

• Let distances be removed.

• Let confidences be built.

And let us together create peace and accelerate development.

I would like all of the North-East to be connected with this facility as soon as possible. The people of Nagaland and other States in the North East should fully benefit from the Information and Communication Revolution sweeping the rest of India.

I am happy that your Ministry has connected all the blocks in the North-East through a VSAT network. If the quality of service is poor anywhere, it should be improved.

Thank you.

Now I hand over the phone to The Governor and Chief Minister of Nagaland. They want to say ~Hello~ to you.~