GUWAHATI, Feb 25: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in the era of digital transmission, connectivity is the lifeline of progress, and Assam is steadfast in leading this revolution to achieve fast-paced growth of the State.
Sharing his vision on a thematic session titled I-Way to Viksit Assam as a part of Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit here at Guwahati today in the presence of Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Chief Minister Dr Sarma said that Assam is fully ready to be a strong stakeholder in the digital revolution with the active support of Government of India.
The Chief Minister said that riding on the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is now witnessing an unprecedented digital revolution. To maintain pace with the revolution he presented his government’s plan to increase cyber footprints across the State.
Speaking on the ever increasing need of data, Chief Minister Dr Sarma while referring to the announcement of Reliance industries chairman Mukesh Ambani of setting up an AI-enabled data centre in Assam and a similar data centre by HDFC, there will be requirement of high-speed data.
He, therefore, requested the Union Minister to study the feasibility of bringing optical fibre from Bay of Bengal through the Brahmaputra. Once materialized, it will prove to be a game changer in getting fast and reliable data in Assam, he added. He moreover said that as the BPOs are shifting their bases from Tier 1 cities to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, in coming two to three years cities like Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Jorhat will have several BPOs and the consequent requirement of high speed data.
He said that a decade ago, the Prime Minister spearheaded the Digital India Mission with a transformative goal to digitally empower every citizen. Dr Sarma hailed the Prime Minister’s vision of placing special emphasis on ensuring that the benefits of digitalization reach the last mile, uplifting even the most marginalized sections of society.
He also stated that Assam Government has an ambitious plan of connecting 25,250 villages with optical fibre. He, therefore, requested the Union Minister to render his help so that the project can be completed very soon for the benefits of farmers and rural entrepreneur. Dr Sarma said that guided by the Prime Minister’s visionary roadmap, Government of Assam is committed to building an ecosystem that lays a strong foundation for transforming the digital landscape of Assam.
He said, “We aim to pave the way from I-way to a Vikshit Assam, unlocking new opportunities and driving holistic development across the state”.
He moreover said that recognizing the crucial role of the IT and telecom sectors in driving economic growth, enhancing education, and improving governance, State government has taken bold steps to expand and modernize these sectors with its focus on bridging the digital divide, ensuring last-mile connectivity, and making telecom services more accessible across the state. He said with the semiconductor facility being given shape in Jagiroad, now Assam is becoming hub of various opportunities.
Referring to Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran’s interests of setting up a mobile manufacturing unit involving a financial outlay of Rs 30,000 crore, the youth of Assam will get employment in the State itself without them having to go to other States to chase their aim in life.
Thanking Union Minister Scindia for his benevolence, he said that because of him I-way in Assam has undergone an unprecedented development. He, therefore, said that Assam Government has fully geared up to use I-way as a force multiplier in achieving Viksit Assam.
Union Minister for Communications and DoNER while speaking on the occasion said that Assam has got all the potential to become a potential driver of growth of the nation. He also said that considering its locational advantage and immense possibility it is not only a gateway to ASEAN countries, it is a gateway to the entire Global South and a manufacturing and logistics power house. He also said that considering the fast paced growth that the State is registering it has all the potential to become an important part of Prime Minister’s dream of Viksit Bharat.
IT Minister Keshav Mahanta, special Chief Secretary Sayedain Abbasi, Nokia India Country head Tarun Chhabra, President Mobile Business and Devices Reliance Jio infocomm Ltd. Sunil Dutt, CMD BSNL A Robert J Ravi and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
