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ICT –Towards Sustainable Development of NER
standards and at the same time it must enhance the living standards of the poor. So inclusive growth, coupled with sustainability is the need of the hour for the region. Sustainability establishes the relationship between economical development without affecting the environment adversely and also maintaining the social order already in place.
None of the technological revolutions have changed the lives of the current generations in the way that Internet and Information Communication Technology (ICT) has. For instance, it took nearly a century before the printing press could reach 50 million individuals. It took four decades for radio to reach the same number, and thirteen years for television. However, the World Wide Web, in its incubation years, exceeded the 50,000,000 mark, and the count today is still rising at an exponential rate. Never before has a technology revolution spread so rapidly. Under privileged regions, those who could not imbibe the earlier waves of technology are now able to ‘leapfrog’ over their more developed competitors through ICT. The greatest obstacle for developing economies is instant access to virtual institutions which provide education, health care, banking, neonatal information, agricultural advice, and so on. The massive investment into IT infrastructure can subsequently create wealth, and reduce the income divide.
Through ICT the region can emphasize the internal capabilities of the local entrepreneurs in formulating strategy to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. The sector does not rely heavily on physical infrastructure such as roads, ports, etc. Rather uninterrupted electrical power, telephone, and internet connectivity play a crucial role for infrastructure requirement. So, all the stake holders of the region must come forward for a better synergy. A positive synergy will definitely produce higher output, which can translate the intended strategy into a realized strategy. The region’s telecom density has a better penetration as compared to the national average. As far as the generation of electricity is concerned; perennial rainfall along with the mountainous terrain of the region has a lot of potential that can be tapped. Due to lower population density, the major problem of rehabilitation synonymous with hydro electricity projects can also be sorted out. Already not only government, but many private sectors are at different stages of electricity generation and are operating in various states of the North East. It will also be a win-win situation for both the power sector and information technology sectors, due to lower distribution and transmission cost for the power sector.
| None of the technological revolutions have changed the lives of the current generations in the way that Internet and Information Communication Technology (ICT) has. |
Nearly 70% accounts for the labor costs for the ICT sector. The region is also self sufficient in this manner at all levels of the sector. The literacy rate of all states of the region is higher than that compared to the rest of the country. As most of the states do not have their own scripts, hence they rely a lot on the English language for educational purposes. In a way the region produces the best suitable manpower resource for its industry. It is not only manpower resources, rather qualitative manpower. Three decades back an initiative was started through an IIM Ahmedabad project called ‘NERIST’ to produce technical manpower for all levels of the region. Now the Union Government’s initiative to have a National Institute of Technology (NIT), Central University in each and every state has significantly encouraged the manpower talent at par with the national level in this region. IIT Guwahati needs a special mention due to its splendid out performance at the national level. Two major players of the national educational map IIT Guwahati, along with IIM Shillong are also engaged in continual educational, research, and consultancy growth of the region.
There are also certain sensitive issues associated with the talented manpower of the region. Every now and then the newspapers flash hard to believe articles regarding the people of the region working across many cities and metros of the country. They express their feelings through various social network web sites, blogs, etc. They can also have another option to lead healthy financial lives with self esteem in their respective states.
Moreover, the ICT industry is an environmentally friendly sector. Development of ICT in the region can also encourage better infrastructure in respect to roads, and ports. Simultaneously other supporting industries will also be attracted to fulfill the demand supply equation. It will act as a catalyst for a social equalizer. In the long run, the region will be competent enough to convert the ‘Look East’ dream into reality. All these need a proactive approach from the people of the region to take the lead to be employment providers rather than becoming mere employment seekers through the ICT industry. The financial institutions of the region should come forward to introduce innovative supporting tools. The state governments along with the centre must also encourage this through tax exemptions for entrepreneurs of this sector.
