Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh arrived in Shillong this week to fast-track regional technology growth. He visited the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach headquarters at Barik Point. The trip included a heavy agenda. Singh inaugurated an advanced GeoInformatics Laboratory equipped with 17 drones and LiDAR technology. He also reviewed the STEM Education Laboratory, which has served hundreds of students since January 2025.
During a review of NECTAR initiatives, Singh praised a mobile food processing unit. He called the project a "processing on wheels" solution that brings value-added technology directly to small-scale farmers. He also inspected the Vasundhara Soil Organic Carbon Detection unit developed through Bhabha Atomic Research Centre technology.
The Minister cited significant training milestones. NECTAR has certified 107 drone pilots and trained over 4,500 students in new technologies. It also trained 569 drone technicians and 247 GIS professionals. These programs created jobs for 190 local youths.
Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Alexander Laloo Hek met with Singh to push for more Science, Technology, and Innovation hubs. The Department of Science and Technology already runs 53 such hubs nationwide. Hek requested better coordination between central scientific bodies and local stakeholders. Hek invited the Union Minister to return for upcoming state welfare projects.
Singh chaired a meeting with leaders from institutions like CSIR-NGRI, NEIST, CMERI, IBSD-DBT, and the India Meteorological Department. He urged these groups to align with Viksit Bharat 2047 goals. He wants them working in mission mode. Later, Singh attended a national conference on administrative and e-Governance reforms at the State Convention Centre alongside Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Comments