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Neiphiu Rio peering into a microscope at the Nagaland Science Centre in Dimapur on Friday.[/caption]
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Nagaland State Minister Neiphiu Rio inspecting an Innovation Hub at the inaugural function of the Innovation Hub and Space Education Centre at Nagaland Science Centre in Dimapur, Nagaland on Friday, September 28, 2018. Photo by Caisii Mao[/caption]
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Nagaland State Minister Neiphiu Rio arrives at the inaugural function of the Innovation Hub and Space Education Centre at Nagaland Science Centre in Dimapur, Nagaland on Friday, September 28, 2018. Photo by Caisii Mao[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 28: The chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated a first of its kind innovation hub and space education science centre with a 50 seater digital planetarium on September 28 at the Nagaland Science Centre in Dimapur.
While informing that India will be among the top three leaders in the field of science and technology by 2030, Rio said the challenge today was to ensure that science and technology help solve basic problems and meet the aspirations of the people.
“How do we build roads that don’t get washed away with rains? How do we control landslides? How do we improve agricultural productivity? How do we control diseases and epidemics? These are all basic governance issues that can be solved by science and technology,” he said.
The Nagaland Science Centre is donning a new look with the two new projects, the innovation hub and space education centre, under the department of Science and Technology funded by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with National Council of Science Museum, government of India.
The main objectives of the innovation hub is to engage the youth in creative hobbies and activities in the field of science and technology, to promote critical thinking and practical problem solving skills and to recognise, encourage and facilitate local innovations in science and technology. The hub has many components such as the tech lab (robotics and microprocessor programming), innovation resource centre, innovation lab, design studio with the 3D printer etc.
“Setting up of the space education centre and the innovation hub will sparkle the minds of the young enthusiastic students and am sure we will be able to give wings to the ideas of the young that can help them to dream more and aspire more,” said Rio.
He added that the innovation hub would also be a platform for the young who are inquisitive, who wants to experiment and come up with innovative solutions to basic problems and challenges.
Admitting that Nagaland has not done well in the field of science and technology, the chief minister said that the science centre with the new additions would help provide a strong foundation for many young students and intellects.
Rio shared that the innovation hub has also the potential to help entrepreneurs build businesses that can transform the state’s economy. “In today’s world when we are lagging behind and want to leapfrog into the league of developed states, we need to promote innovation that can create jobs as also help create profitable and successful enterprises,” he said.
Speaking to an audience of students from various schools, and government officials, he took the examples of famous innovators such as Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Elon Musk of Tesla who have ‘disrupted’ the markets and businesses and created products that has captured minds and markets the world over.
“I am sure the setting up of the innovation hub and space education centre at the Science Centre will help create an ecosystem that will promote our own Naga innovators who will make a mark not only for themselves but for the whole state,” Rio asserted.
He also acknowledged the many young Nagas who have made their mark in fashion, music or entrepreneurship and urged the rest to believe in their strength and potential.
“Don’t be dependent on government jobs and contracts as there are very few available and being in the government puts limitations on what one can achieve,” he said while citing the example of more 6000 applicants for 14 posts in the department of Taxes recently.
“Government will provide opportunities and platforms like the space education centre and innovation hub,” Rio ensured, urging the youth to make use of them and to “paint their own canvas.”
Noticing the poor condition of the approach road to the science centre, Rio assured it would be fixed to ensure better accessibility for visitors.
One of the main attractions at the space education centre is the 3D printer. The printer is said to create rapid prototyping of customised products according to the preference of the individual.
The advisor to the department of Science and Technology, Mmhonlumo Kikon, in his brief address, appealed to the chief minister to introduce a Chief Minister’s Innovation Award. Kikon assured that scientific talents in the state would be mobilised.
He hoped that the newly opened centre would help to develop the application of science and technology to face socio-economic and environmental challenges.
