GUWAHATI, Sept 7 - In a bid to take internet connectivity to the remotest parts of the State, the Government of Assam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Google India Private Limited at a function held at the conference hall of the Janata Bhawan here this evening.
Secretary, Information Technology Department, Nitin Khare, and Chetan Krishnaswami, Country Head (Policy) of Google India, signed the MoU on behalf of the Government of Assam and Google respectively in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, stated an official press release.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that technology rules the roost in the 21st century, and to carry forward the fruits of development to the remotest parts, the government has laid stress on increasing use of technology. The MoU signed with Google would be the latest addition to the government�s arsenal to make technology-driven development a reality in the State, he said.
He also said that the State government, together with the Centre, is working rigorously to make the ground fertile for the success of Startup and Standup programmes. However, the success of these programmes sans technology would remain a distant dream, he maintained.
Sonowal also said that the MoU would be used as launchpad to materialise the government�s vision of women empowerment, skill development and universal education. He said that through the MoU the government would work to provide internet connection to 26,000 villages and 1,500 tea garden areas and increase digital literacy. He also attributed the ties with Google as a way forward to strongly project Guwahati as a natural gateway to the South East Asian Countries.
Sonowal also asked the Information Technology Department to make technology acceptable and favourable to the rural populace so that technology turns out to be a catalyst for rural development.
Chetan Krishnaswami, Country Head (Policy) of Google India, also shared his thoughts on the occasion.
Information Technology Minister Keshab Mahanta, Chief Minister�s Media and Legal Advisors Hrishikesh Goswami and Santanu Bharali, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, Additional Chief Secretary to IT Ravi Capoor, MD AMTRON MK Yadav and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
