Speech delivered by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sikitex 2010- IT Exhibition & Conference

 

Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri KT Gyaltsen, cabinet colleagues, Members of Parliament, MLAs, senior officials from Ministry of Information Technology, NIC officials, officials from other States, distinguished guests representing IT giants including IBM, Sify and ILFS, members of Press, ladies and gentlemen

Narayana Murthy of the Infosys fame recounted how in the early 1980s, he had to literally make 25 visits spread over 18 months to the bureaucracy in New Delhi to import one computer! Now the scenario has changed completely with Infosys and all other information technology companies which have made India a front runner in software exports.

With liberalization of the early 1990s and the simultaneous abolition of licence-permit raj, India has earned fame and distinction excelling in the IT sector. Computer Software in India is the miracle sector growing at 40 per cent annually for a decade earning $ 8 billion in exports last year. By all account and global submission, India ’s knowledge power and knowledge industry is ever expanding providing jobs to lakhs of young people. The demographic dividend is playing out very well in this sector for our country.

I am happy to join this distinguished gathering of IT professionals of the Country who have made their high mark in IT applications worldwide. I also welcome distinguished guests from other States and officials from central Ministries to deliberate on how best we could harness the IT tools for the welfare of the people at large. India is a vast Country and the responsibility of providing access to IT benefits to all sections of population is a big challenge. The big question we have to answer is how far we are successful to bridge the digital divide in this country. This gathering and all Seminars and Workshops that will take place later will define our benchmark of where we stand in terms of access and affordability to use this facility. You are aware that India has also embarked on a ambitious project of bringing Universal Identity to all citizens. This project is being headed by another great stalwart of the IT industry, Mr. Nandan Nilenkani. Universal financial inclusion will ensure that much of the benefits can flow directly to the poor.

Sikkim is a State nestled in the Himalayas , 7096 sq kilometers in size and with a population of over 6 lacs. We are amply blessed by its natural diversity in physical features, natural wealth and socio-cultural features. Sikkim is one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the World. With altitudes ranging from almost sea level to 28,156 ft Sikkim has alpine landscapes, luxuriant forest, water bodies and tranquil lakes. Sikkim is a veritable island of peace and mutual brotherhood. Further details...