Kohima Bureau
Kohima, April 14 (EMN): In an attempt to bring information technology closer to the people, the government of Nagaland has decided to provide free Wi-Fi services in select locations across the state.
This was announced by the advisor for Information and Technology; Science and Technology; and New and Renewable Energy Mmhonlumo Kikon during the inaugural session of the Nagaland Innovation Expo (NIE) 2018 in the auditorium of Kohima Science College (KSC) at Jotsoma on Saturday.
Kikon said that free Wi-Fi hotspots would be provided in the state’s capital as well as three campuses of Nagaland University: Meriema, Lumami and Medziphema. As a special offer, he said, the state government was providing a free Wi-Fi hotspot at Kohima Science College too.
Free Wi-Fi hotspots would also be provided in the office of all the deputy commissioners in Nagaland, Kikon informed.
“This government wants to impress upon you that we are serious about your concerns and to the issues that you raise on social media and other forums. We want to address issues of concern by being sensitive to the people and hence free Wi-Fi services was one such initiative the government has come up with,” Kikon told the gathering.
However, he did not mention from when the government would start providing the service. Kikon said that the decision to provide free Wi-Fi services was aimed at enabling people to enjoy maximum internet facilities; particularly students, whom he felt would benefit the most.
“Free-Wi-Fi services itself is a facility which is being provided so as to help you in your studies and works,” he stated.
That aside, Kikon urged the students to take ownership rather than shy away from the challenges the state is facing.
“This is the challenge and vision you must have if you want a better Nagaland; and further if you want a future in this state which will enable all of us to enjoy the maximum facilities which other first world countries are enjoying,” Kikon said as he assured to actively engage with students on this initiative.
Kikon, an alumnus of KSC, lauded the college for organising the NIE 2018, which had the participation of all the departments in the college and three schools including Stella Higher Secondary School, Kohima; Baptist Mission School, Jotsoma; and St Mary’s Cathedral Higher Secondary School, Kohima.
Rating the event as one of the best ever to come up in Nagaland, Kikon proposed the idea of making it an annual event. On the day, students were given the opportunity to exhibit their scientific innovations.
“We will be able to successfully orient ourselves towards the job market with an initiative such as this, and it will not go in vain if we are serious about it,” Kikon said, while he also underscored the need to connect these kinds of initiatives globally.
Stating that the mass market would be determined by artificial intelligence, he also foresaw that the new job that that will have a maximum impact on human lives will come through artificial intelligence.
The introduction on NIE was delivered by Keyileurangbe Thou, Science Club secretary, Kohima Science College Students’ Union, while the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Lily Sema, principal, KSC.
