President initiates IT park, launches SWAN
'Do not disturb co-existence of hill-valley peoples:Patil
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 11 2011: Reject discredited groups from disturbing the age-old harmony and co-existence among the different communities and tribes, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil urged people today saying that development can take place in a place when there is peace and tranquility.

She said, "Manipur is a land of great diversity where many different communities and tribes with their vibrant cultures' have lived side by side in harmony for generations" .

The atmosphere of peace and tranquility should be maintained so that sustained development can take place, Patil asserted urging the people to uphold harmony and reject violence.

She said, "When people work together unitedly and collectively, there is much that can be achieved" .

Patil conveyed this while speaking at a public function held after she laid the foundation stone of an IT (Information Technology) Park and launched a State Wide Area Network (SWAN) at Mantripukhri.

Spouse of the President, Dr Devi Singh Shekawat, Governor Gurbachan Jagat, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Speaker I Hemochandra, cabinet ministers, MLAs and top civil and police officers of the state government attended the function.

Addressing the gathering, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil called for integrity among the NE states saying that it would not only promote India's Look East Policy, but also bring benefits to the region.

President Patil laying the foundation stone of IT park

The President said "I believe that Manipur along with other NE states has great potential for development of the region as well as the country" adding that India's Look East Policy will bring benefit to Manipur.

She acknowledged the state people's dependence on agriculture and allied activities and said she was willing to find a comprehensive way to increase agricultural productivity through better cropping patterns.

Agro-processing units, including small home based and co-operatives units, would add value to agriculture products, and make it easier to transport them to markets, Patil suggested.

Strong emphasis on post-harvest management and processing should be given for higher income generation.

"I am sure that with their entrepreneurial attitude, the people of Manipur will come forward to meet this goal," she said.

Patil also urged that to create self employment opportunities among the educated youth, the state government must focus on implementing employment generation and skills development programmes.

Young men and women, who have had the benefit of good education and training, can in turn, put their knowledge to the best possible use, in the interest of families, communities, the nation and human-kind, she opined.

Congratulating the state of topping all other states in the country at the 34th National Games 2011 held in Jharkhand recently, she hoped that Manipur will continue to produce world-class sports persons, bringing glory to nation building.

The President acknowledged that the people of Manipur have been excelling in sports.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat, speaking on the occasion, asserted that the proposed IT park will provide a platform for Manipur to join this sector in a big way.

Many IT professionals from Manipur are working not only in different parts of the country but throughout the globe, thereby assuring the availability of competent manpower in the state, he said.

"Human beings are becoming increasingly dependent on communication and information technology and hence there will be more openings for ICT based business avenues, creating more jobs both in the private and public domain," he said.

He observed that society is destined to be driven by education, skill and technology.

There is a need for formulating and implementing a policy that integrates the entire chain of ICT based productivity like creating of skill through education, career planning and counseling, job requirement, market analysis and business propositions.

"Our educational institutions and their curriculum need to be geared towards their requirement," the Governor asserted.

Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh said that government had taken up the project for construction of the IT park under the national e-governance programme.

In 2003, on the request of the state government, the Centre had opened a STPI (Software Technology Parks of India), Imphal centre paving the way to open the IT park.

The primary objective of the IT park is to tap the latent IT talent among the boys and girls of the state, he said adding that this latent pool is proposed to be harnessed by reaping the benefits.

Giving an elaborate account of the project, Chief Secretary DS Poonia said that the estimated project cost of the IT park is ' 34.32 crore and the park would spread over a 3.2 acre area.

The fund is to be sanctioned by the Planning Commission of India under Special Plan Assistance (SPA).

The STPI, Guwahati is implementing the project, on behalf of the state Department of Information Technology on a turnkey basis.

It will have reliable connectivity and 24x7 power back up and provide incubation space to IT entrepreneurs.

The first phase, which will provide about 20000 square feet of floor space, is expected to be completed by the end of 2011 and the second phase will provide an additional 30000 sq ft of space, he added.

As part of today's programme, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil held interactions about the SWAN project with Ukhrul DC, Ashok Kumar through video conference.

Patil asked the DC if the government had imparted awareness on SWAN to the people. The President also met with the chairpersons of the state social welfare board, Manipur State Commission for Women, Manipur Women's development Corporation and with leaders of the Women's Self Help Groups and held discussions on various issues confronting the women of the state.

The President left Imphal by a special flight of the Indian Airlines this afternoon at 1.30 pm.