President Murmu inaugurates various projects at IIT Guwahati

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the supercomputer facility Param-Kamrupa and laboratory for the design and development of high-power microwave components at IIT Guwahati on Thursday.

She also inaugurated the medical college and hospital at Dhubri and laid the foundation stones for two zonal institutes of National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Dibrugarh, Assam and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing the occasion, the President said that IIT Guwahati has made the region and nation proud with its achievements in the national and international arena within a short span of existence. “A few days ago, IIT Guwahati had constructed a 3D printed sentry post for developing cost-effective and sustainable defence infrastructure for the Indian army.”

She added that IIT Guwahati is a knowledge centre that can provide technology solutions to connectivity issues and other challenges in the Northeastern Region. “Since this is the only IIT in the Northeastern Region, IIT Guwahati must shoulder responsibility to nurture other institutions in the region, work with the state government and the defence forces to strengthen our borders, and provide technological solutions to prevent recurrence of natural calamities in the region. The institute should encourage innovations, work towards indigenization in cutting edge technologies, provide skill development avenues and be a forerunner in making the country Atmanirbhar.”

The President said that the science and technology institutes of the country should promote greater research and development so that India can be a leader in technological innovations. “It is beneficial for the larger good of the society. The National Education Policy 2020 clearly acknowledges that addressing today’s socio-economic challenges require high-quality interdisciplinary research that must be done in India and cannot simply be imported. Research and innovation at educational institutions, particularly those engaged in higher education, is critical.”

She further said that the Northeastern Region of India is making big strides towards development and is making extraordinary efforts to provide high-quality healthcare and education systems to the people. “The government of Assam is further providing support to IIT Guwahati to set up an advanced multispecialty hospital. It will serve as an example for other esteemed institutes in the country to undertake similar initiatives.”

The President added that various projects of central and state governments and the consequent progress of the region will set a foundation for making India a technologically advanced nation and an inclusive society.

Earlier in the day, the President flagged off Agartala-Khongsang Janshatabdi Express and Agartala-Kolkata Express from Agartala Railway Station.