Thiruvananthapuram: President Ram Nath Kovind has hailed Kerala as a powerhouse of digital India and that the hospitality culture of the state was a role model.
“Kerala is potentially a powerhouse of Digital India. It is one of India’s most connected states, with among the highest rates of mobile phone penetration. I understand that the government is making efforts to bridge the digital divide and provide free Internet connections to two million poorer families by using a new optic fibre network,” the President said in his address at the launch of Technocity at Pallipuram, about 15 kilomteres from the city.
Highlighting the potential of the state in tourism and healthcare sectors, the President said, “The local people of Kerala deserve to be congratulated for having created a remarkable hospitality industry and I would say hospitality culture. This is a role model for many parts of India."
Mr. Kovind also said that the IT sector should have its impact on the development of all sectors like healthcare, education and tourism.
Hailing the contributions of Keralites across the globe, Mr. Kovind said that during his recent trip to Ethiopia he came across the service of many Indian teachers there, a good number of whom were Keralites.
Thiruvananthapuram: He also recollected the support he received from Malayali staff and colleagues during his career as a lawyer.
The President laid the foundation stone for a two lakh square feet IT building to be constructed by the government at Technocity.
Jobs for one lakh
Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan said on the occasion that the first IT building at Technocity would be commissioned by 2019 and it was expected to generate one lakh jobs in IT and other futuristic technologies.
The Chief Minister also said that the Mangalappuram - Vizhinjam stretch was emerging as an economic corridor with the presence of IT parks, airport, Kovalam tourist spot and the upcoming Vizhinjam international port. He also added that with the commissioning of Technocity, the Mangalappuram - airport stretch would be known as the IT corridor. He also said that the Knowledge city coming up at Technocity would strengthen the industry-academic relationship.
Bridge the language barrier
Governor P Sathasivam , who presided over the event, said that IT services should be delivered to grassroot levels in the local language interface. The language divide of IT service could be also bridged by initiating voice recognition facilities. A Sampath MP, C Divakaran MLA, Chief Secretary K M Abraham, and IT secretary M Sivasankar also spoke while IT parks chief executive officer Hrishikesh Nair presented a memento to the President.
