Aizawl, October 29, 2016: The government would launch a new programme — 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' — on Monday to connect the country's states and districts, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD) Mahendra Nath Pandey said here on Friday.

"A new programme — 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (one India, excellent India) — would be launched on Monday to connect states and districts of the country through varied cultures and tourism," Pandey said on Saturday while addressing a function in Mizoram capital Aizawl.

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Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced the programme while presenting the budget for 2016-17 in the Lok Sabha on February 29.

The Minister, who arrived in Aizawl on Friday evening, was speaking as chief guest at the valedictory ceremony of the "Innovative Water Technology Management Fest" of Mizoram University.

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He said, "By changing previous 'Look East' policy into the 'Act East' policy with more specific thrust, the central government is committed for the overall development of the northeast India."

Praising the people of Mizoram, the visiting minister appreciated the people for achieving high literacy rate of 92 per cent.

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The HRD minister promised that he would do his best to develop the infrastructure of the Mizoram University and committed for construction of the versitya's football ground by next year.

The minister also inaugurated the women's hostel of Mizoram University. (IANS)