During his one day visit to Meghalaya to lay a foundation stone of NIT Meghalaya at Cherrapunjee (Sohra), Union Minister for IT and Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal said that the UPA Government has had a special focus on the North East and has, during its tenure since 2004 established about 10 NITs, a large member of which are in the North East.
Kapil Sibal said that the reason behind this decision is that it is time for everyone to realize that the youth from this part of the country have great aspirations which
can only be realized through the setting of high quality institutions of excellence in this part of the country."This is the right time and environment for the youth to apply their minds and achieve levels of excellence that they have not had access to," the Union Minister said.
Informing those gathered at the function that India has a population of 400 milion aged between 0 and 14 years old, Kapil Sibal said that this young population is ready to transform the country. Kapil Sibal also urged the NITs to address the problems of the state where they are located. "I think that this is exceptionally important and this should be the vision of the NIT system," Kapil Sibal said.
In the context of Sohra, Kapil Sibal said , "I am aware that Cherrapunjee has a lot of rainfall and yet it is short of water because of the nature of the terrain. I think that when institutions like NIT are set up, these are the issues that must be addressed." It is time for us to conduct applied research besides academic research and use knowledge for the resolution of the problems around us, Kapil Sibal said.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma who was also present at the function as its guest of honuor said that it is benifitting to have this institution in Sohra as it is a place which is world renowned. He also said that when we give opportunities for the human mind to be more creative and innovative, we see wonders happening . "This is exactly what we see today," Dr. Sangma added. Shillong and Meghalaya need more of such institutions as 70% of the North East people who are holding high post in other parts of the country are products of institutions based in Shillong. "Shillong has contributed immensely to the overall growth and development of the whole region and it is therefore needed that the possibility of establishing such institutions in our state," Dr. Sangma added.
Minister in Charge of Education Professor RC Laloo presided over the functioning which was also attended by a host of Government officials and dignitaries and the Vote of thanks was proposed by DK Saikia. Director NIT, Sohra. (mipr)
