Silchar, March 6: UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi today assured the people of Mizoram that New Delhi would always “remain ready” to support the peaceful state and its people in their economic and social development.

Addressing a crowd of nearly 4,000 people at a rally, Sonia paid glowing tributes to the Mizos for their cultural heritage, art, literature and sense of beauty.

Earlier, she laid the foundation stone of the first-ever modern stadium in Aizawl’s Mualpui locality. The stadium, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 132 crore, will be christened Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.

Sonia recalled that on her first visit to Mizoram with her husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, she had been fascinated by the “lovely land”, unique for its natural splendours.

She revealed that her husband had a special fondness for the youths of Mizoram for their creativity, vigour and zeal for sports.

Sonia also said that the Centre had allotted Rs 8,800 crore for Mizoram’s annual plan in the next fiscal to accelerate the pace of development in various economic and social spheres.

She made it clear that the hill state and its people would never be isolated by Delhi. “We would not allow the Mizos to fall behind the other people in this country,” she said.

Sonia referred to the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) ushered in by the Congress government in Mizoram under the leadership of chief minister Lalthanhawla for doing away with the wasteful jhum cultivation and introducing a secure and lasting farming practice.

She said the scheme would soon become a path-breaking project to be emulated by the other tribes and people in the country.

The Congress president thanked the people of Mizoram for reposing trust in an “overwhelming way” on the party in the last Assembly polls in the state, and urged them to vote for the Congress in the village council elections too.

Sonia also announced that a Sainik School would be set up in the state.

The UPA chairperson landed at Lengpui airport near Aizawl and flew in a private chopper to the state capital.

She draped herself in an exotic green and purple traditional Mizo skirt (puan). A cheraw dance was performed on the occasion.

Referring to the cheraw competition in Aizawl on March 11, Sonia hoped that it would make it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest mass dance.

Earlier, chief minister Lalthanhawla, home minister R. Lalzirliana and sports minister Zodintlunga welcomed the UPA chairperson at the venue.