Be new-age tech savvy: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to youths

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to the youths of the state to have a basic idea about new-age technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, big data, advanced genomics, etc.

Drawing a comparison with the youths of Karnataka and Maharashtra who have already made themselves a part of this technological revolution, the Chief Minister said that remaining ignorant of these would be detrimental to their career in the long run.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the ceremonial distribution of scooters to meritorious candidates who cleared the last higher secondary examinations conducted by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) with a percentage above a certain threshold at a ceremony held at the Veterinary College Playground, Khanapara here today.

Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award, under the Pragya Bharti Scheme, this year is awarded to a total of 35,800 beneficiaries, of which 6,052 are boys and 29,748 are girls. To be eligible for the award, the male candidates had to score a minimum of 75% while that for female candidates has been fixed at 60%. Today's central event witnessed the distribution of scooters to those eligibles who belong to the Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup districts. Scooters for those who belong to the rest of the districts shall be distributed within December.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said it was a historic milestone in the lives of those who made it to the list of those eligible for Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award. He termed the award a gift and blessing from society for their hard work and dedication towards the study.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the countrymen to treat the next 25 years as Amrit Kaal, the Chief Minister requested the meritorious students to dedicate every moment of their lives towards the betterment of the country. Referring to them Amrit Santan of Amrit Kaal, Chief Minister Sarma asked the students to utilize their abilities and capabilities in a manner that would ensure the nation reaches its rightful status on its 100th year of Independence, which will culminate with the end of the Amrit Kaal.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for youth-led developments and growth, the Chief Minister appealed to the meritorious students of Assam to ensure they walk hand-in-hand with their counterparts in other States so that they too can reap the benefits of the opportunities the new and resurgent India offers.

Adding that digitization would be the mantra for development for the next few decades, the Chief Minister asked them to focus on innovation, as the world of innovation offers tremendous opportunities for all to thrive and grow. Innovation would ensure one becomes employment-provider, rather than remaining employment-seeker, the Chief Minister remarked.

Meritorious students should always aim to touch the sky, the Chief Minister said, adding it would be a waste of their talent if they were to limit their aspirations to grade-3 and grade-4 jobs in days to come.

The Government of Assam shall explore the possibility of distributing electric scooters to awardees of Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award from next year, Dr Sarma said. This would do away with students having to spend money on fuel, he added.

Chief Minister Sarma also spoke about an upcoming scheme through which females pursuing postgraduate programmes in educational institutions of the State would be provided with a yearly stipend of Rs 10,000 each. This would be helpful in covering their commutation and other related expenses, he said. He appealed to those females pursuing postgraduate programmes to apply for the same in the portal to be launched by the Department of Education for that purpose in a few weeks from now.

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