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Silchar boy wins award for developing mobile app on NE

By ARINDAM GUPTA

SILCHAR, Dec 12 - From fantastic trek to lush jungles, gurgling waterfalls to natural caves and much more, the North East of India is replete with many delightful spots to catch any traveller�s fancy. And tapping this perspective, Bilash Dutta, a 19-year-old boy from Silchar developed a mobile application titled �NE Moves� to boost the tourism prospects, which has fetched him the prestigious Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award 2016 from the President of India.

�I had a keen interest in exploring new territories within the North East, which is blessed by Mother Nature. I also loved working on the internet to know new aspects of developing mobile applications. The thought to develop an app crossed my mind when I was a student of Class-XII. As I progressed, I came up with the application with no idea of it being recognised at such a big level. I am inspired,� Bilash, a student of Physics honours at GC College here told The Assam Tribune today.

Elaborating on the mobile application, Bilash, seated alongside his mother Anika Dey Dutta, a school teacher, said that it took him three weeks to develop the app. �I have developed the application which will have games as well as information on tourist spots of the North East with a little bit of description on each location covering the eight States of the region. It is still in the initial stage and I hope to complete it by 2017 so that it is available in Google play store for Android Windows and IoS systems,� Bilash mentioned.

He was quick to add that he wishes to foster the tourism prospects of the region, including Barak Valley via his application.

�I never expected that my son could achieve this huge feat. I am overwhelmed,� Anika Dey Dutta reacted, saying that Bilash�s father Bimal Dutta accompanied him to the award ceremony held recently in New Delhi.

It may be mentioned that National Innovation Foundation is a wing of the Union Department of Science and Technology, which organised a competition-cum-exhibition for the budding innovators across the country in which the awards were presented.

On the other hand, to encourage the rookie innovator, Cachar Deputy Commisioner S Vishwanathan felicitated Bilash at a modest function at his conference hall today. �It is a proud moment for all of us. I hope Bilash shall keep up this spirit in the coming days,� Vishwanathan said.

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