Guwahati: Former Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi (retd) on Friday described the northeast as India’s “true gateway”, saying it was “where India begins”.Dwivedi was speaking at a Guwahati programme marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The event, organised by Vidya Bharati Northeast Region at Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium, Kalakshetra, was part of ‘Namami Bharatam’, during which the complete national song was sung simultaneously at more than 25,000 locations across the country.As chief guest, Dwivedi urged students to become “problem fixers” rather than merely identify problems. He asked them to follow the cycle of “learn, unlearn and relearn” and embrace modern technology without losing touch with Indian values.He also urged youngsters to adopt a “zero-ten” morning routine, spending the first 10 minutes of the day away from mobile phones and focusing on their goals and priorities.Vidya Bharati said the programme was held to familiarise the younger generation with the history of Vande Mataram and its role in the freedom movement.
