Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 28
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said even as India is poised to become the top three nations in the field of Science & Technology by 2030, the challenge today is to ensure that Science & Technology help solve the basic problems faced by the people and to meet their aspirations.
“How do we build roads that don’t get washed away with rains? How do we control landslides? How do we improve agricultural productivity? How do we control diseases and epidemics? These are all basic Governance issues that can be solved by Science & Technology”, the chief minister said in his address at the inauguration of Space Education Centre and Innovation Hub at Nagaland Science Centre, Dimapur.
Admitting that Nagaland state has not done very well in the field of Science & Technology, Rio underscored the need to support students with scientific bent of mind and give them opportunities to hone their skills so that they can come up with solutions that can help solve the problems that Nagas face as a society.
“In today’s world when we are lagging behind and want to leapfrog into the league of developed States, we need to promote innovation that can create jobs as also help create profitable and successful enterprises”, he said.
Citing examples of innovators like Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon or Elon Musk of Tesla who have captured the minds of people and the markets the world over, Rio expressed optimism that the setting up of the Innovation Hub and Space Education Centre would help create an ecosystem that would promote Naga innovators to make a mark not only for themselves but for the whole State.
Calling upon the young people to believe in their strength and potential, to dream big and work hard for achieving those dreams, Rio advised the youth not to be dependent on Government jobs and contracts as these have reached saturation point.
“Government will provide opportunities and platforms like the Space Education Centre and Innovation Hub –make use of them and paint your own canvas – when you do things as per your potential and capacity – the sky is the limit. Dream on, fly high and soar to the skies”, he said.
Rio exuded confidence that the Space Education Centre and Innovation Hub would help boost the spirit of scientific enquiry amongst students and children, sparkle their minds and give wings to their ideas to dream more and aspire more.
Stating that being the first of its kind in Nagaland, the chief minister said the Science Centre has the potential to become the “new face” of Nagaland. “In fact, such facilities should reach out even to the remotest parts of our State and Department of Science & Technology should follow up with the NCSM and the concerned Ministry in Government of India to consider setting up District Science Centres in all the districts of our State” Rio said.
Advisor, Science & Technology Department, Mmhonlumo Kikon and Director, NE Zone, National Council for Science Museums, Kolkata, S Chaudhuri also spoke on the occassion.
