Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, today. NECTAR, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, is dedicated to leveraging technology for socio-economic development in the North East Region.
The Minister visited the NECTAR stalls at IIM Shillong and participated in the lighting of the lamp alongside dignitaries and officials from the State Government. The event included a welcome address and a presentation by Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General, NECTAR.
In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed his pleasure at the establishment of NECTAR’s permanent campus and State Technology Demonstration Centre, calling it a “landmark moment” in the journey of NECTAR. He noted that NECTAR was established in 2014, the first year of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government, and has steadily expanded its reach across all eight Northeastern states. “NECTAR has grown from infancy under the patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, with its own premises, this institution is setting a new benchmark in the transformation of the Northeast,” he said.
He commended NECTAR’s initiatives, including Mission Saffron, launched in 2021, which is introducing saffron cultivation in the Northeast. “Last year, we secured the GI tag for Jammu and Kashmir saffron. Now, the Northeast has the potential to emerge as India’s next saffron hub,” he remarked. He lauded the establishment of the STEM Education Lab in Shillong, developed in collaboration with IISER Pune and Smart Village Movement, which will empower students from 100 schools with cutting-edge technology like electronics, robotics, and 3D printing.
He also spoke about NECTAR’s role in drone technology and also acknowledged NECTAR’s efforts in flood vulnerability assessments, using GIS and remote sensing technologies to mitigate risks in Morigaon, Dhubri, and Majuli districts. Discussing NECTAR’s work in Beekeeping and Honey Mission, he said, “From bamboo to bee keeping, NECTAR is diversifying its impact across sectors”.
The Minister encouraged NECTAR to carve a distinct identity, urging the institute to focus on specific sectors and maximise its human, academic, and natural resources and advised it to be a driving force for “Atmanirbhar Northeast” and Viksit Bharat, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s vision for the region’s equitable growth.
The event was attended by officials from DST, NECTAR, and key stakeholders from various state and central government organisations.
