The Hindu : Front Page : Develop as a knowledge hub, PM tells Goa

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Friday, Dec 28, 2007
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Develop as a knowledge hub, PM tells Goa

Special Correspondent

— Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh delivering his keynote address after launching the Goa Broadband Network Project at Porvorim in Goa on Thursday.

PANAJI: Anticipating the emergence of the “knowledge worker” as the most valuable asset in the evolving knowledge economy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has underlined the need to invest in technology and its related tools to ensure optimal utilisation of their potential to improve standards of living.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here on Thursday afternoon on a two-day visit, was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the broadband network project at the State Secretariat. To be implemented in a phased manner, the high-speed connectivity project seeks to eventually provide optic fibre cable in every home along with a large internet bandwidth of 2 to 10 mbps.

Goa Governor S.C. Jamir, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Union Minister Prithviraj Chauhan, Goa IT Minister Dayanand Narvekar and Speaker Pratapsingh Rane were among those present.

“Knowledge is the key success factor for enabling our people to adjust to the changing economic profile of the country and finding gainful employment in the new, emerging sector. Another force driving change is the rapid improvement in technology in all fields, particularly telecommunication and IT,” the Prime Minister said.

Exhorting Goa to develop itself as a knowledge hub to complement its eminence as a leading international tourism destination, Dr. Singh offered the Centre’s l support to improve its knowledge sector and infrastructure.

Acknowledging that Goa’s potential for industrialisation was limited as it had to strike a balance between maintaining its pristine natural beauty and catering to the needs of the industry, the Prime Minister felt that focusing on the services sector was a good option for continued economic growth. “While tourism is one success story, the broadband network will open doors of the knowledge economy to the Goan people,” he said.

Acknowledging Goa’s desire for “an equitable share of facilities for higher education,” Dr. Singh promised to bear this in mind while locating new institutions for higher learning as envisaged in the 11th Five Year Plan.

Earlier, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat sought the Centre’s support for making Goa a centre of educational excellence and also made a forceful plea for financial assistance for sustaining its infrastructure.

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