Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10:
Governor Dr SS Sidhu today inaugurated Imphal sub-centre complex of Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE) at Lamphel, Langol Road.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Sidhu said that Indian science and technology is poised for a big leap forward in the new century and propellers of this fillip are information technology.
He added that it is high time that we are fully prepared to adjust with the paradigm shift being caused by IT in economic activity.
Maintaining that the progress of IT has profound impact in Indian economy, Governor informed the gathering that the working group on Information Technology for the masses, established by the Ministry of Information Technology set a target of 100 million internet connections by the year 2008 and one million internet IT cyber cafes to be set up in the country.
Sidhu added that recommendations of the working group on IT like compulsory IT literacy for Government recruitment, earmarking upto five percent budget for Information Technology induction in Government, State Government portals to help rural artisans and all Government information to be on internet shall promote transparency and accountability of public authorities.
With the significant growth of Information and Communication Technology, the rural-urban divide would also be considerably reduced, he added.
Maintaining that IETE, the National Apex Body of Professional Engineers has been exerting efforts for advancement since its inception in 1953, Sidhu added, the institute with its 72,000 members both individuals and industrial organisations is rendering a great service for engineering profession at present by filling up the gap between supply and demand of qualified engineers in the style of technical education system in respect of the non-formal sector largely suitable for working people to bring about country's economic development.
The Governor also expressed satisfaction on 30 students of IETE passing the BE level and employed in BSNL and elsewhere.
Sidhu also expressed hope that the Imphal sub-centre would accelerate its activities with the adequate infrastructure and join the IETE's national endeavour to produce a good number of IT trained human resource based both in the formal and non-formal sectors.
IETE president S Narayana and MLCC chairman Prof K Laxminarayan were the president and guest of honour respectively in the function, while IETE secretary general Brig (Retd) VK Pandey was also the member of the dais.