‘Polytechnics are the wealth of the people’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 2
A Government Polytechnic institute was inaugurated at Seithekima C village, Dimapur on April 2. The institute was inaugurated by Minister for Higher & Technical Education Temjen Imna Along Longkumer.
This is the 4th such institute in Nagaland after Kheloshe Polytechnic at Atoizu, Government Polytechnic at Kohima and ICIT, Mokokchung.
At the inaugural programme Commissioner & Secretary Dellirose M. Sakhrie outlined the significance of investing in skill and job oriented social capital to drive the economy. She said that this is where Polytechnic institutes come in, which would impart the skills required to trainees while enabling them to become employable. “We are training the youths to be employable.”
Stating that the advantages are diverse, including minimal fees, she added that one can further pursue degree courses after completing Diploma programmes offered by Polytechnics.
Highlighting the vision of the Government of India to produce 500 million skilled labour force by 2020, she informed that the Nagaland state government in line with the objective has set up Polytechnic institutes in 11 out of 12 districts in the state. After Dimapur, other such institutes are in line to be inaugurated soon, she added.
Minister Temjen Imna Along Longkumer called for the people’s support towards the growth of the Government Polytechnic at Seithekima C into a centre of excellence. In this regard, he said that the village of Seithekima C, on whose land the institute stands, is crucial.
“The village of Seithekima C is an equal partner in this. You are the guardians of the Polytechnic,” he said. Referring to the trend of private entities usurping government land prevalent in Nagaland, he reminded that the institute should not be allowed to fall prey to encroachment at any cost. The institute is nestled in an area of land covering 30 acres.
Stating that institutes like this are the “real wealth” of the people, he said that it will build the future of many at the same time contributing to the state economy.
He further called for reversing the trend of Nagas spending crores every year for education and training outside the state. “Why can’t we also be a centre of education? We spend 300-400 crores yearly as educational expenses outside,” he said though no source was attributed to the figure.
Principal, Athalie Dolie informed that the institute will start with one course (Civil Engineering) and added that more courses will be incorporated as it progresses. He described Polytechnics as a significant segment of technical education in India. According to him, this segment produces the skilled workforce required by the economy and its contribution to growth immense.
