The Minister for Development of North East Region, Tourism, and Culture, G. Kishan Reddy, unveiled India's first 5G training labs and 5G applications in the healthcare sector. This transformative initiative spans all eight North Eastern states and is centrally funded through the North East Council (NEC), with implementation overseen by the Assam Electronic Development Corporation (AMTRON), a PSU of the Assam government.
The launch event was attended by various dignitaries, including Minister of State B.L Verma, AMTRON Chairman Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Secretary DoNER Chanchal Kumar, and Secretary NEC Moses Chalai. Minister Kishan Reddy underscored the monumental significance of this ambitious endeavor in establishing a vibrant 5G digital ecosystem in the North East region.
He emphasized how this technological leap forward would open up vast opportunities for growth and make substantial contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Furthermore, he stated that the burgeoning 5G market, set to expand even further in the future, would enable the North Eastern states to harness this potential and improve the delivery of public services.
Minister of State B.L. Verma lauded this initiative, highlighting that the introduction of 5G, coupled with technological advancements, signifies a defining step forward in the progress of the Ashtalakshmi States in this digital age. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly emerging as a global contender in cutting-edge technology, and the North Eastern states can play a pivotal role in this endeavor.
Expressing his delight, Minister Kishan Reddy commended the NEC and AMTRON for establishing India's first-ever 5G labs in all eight North Eastern states, aligning with the Finance Minister’s 2023-24 budget speech announcements. He stressed that these labs would not only bridge the digital divide but also empower the youth with essential skills for the information age, thereby fostering the growth of the knowledge economy in the North East.
Emphasizing the paramount significance of 5G in healthcare, the Minister highlighted its potential to provide last-mile access to high-quality healthcare services and reduce medical expenses for the common man. He reiterated that 5G could be a pivotal tool in realizing the 'Antyodaya' vision of the Prime Minister.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of “Ashta-Aadhar” for the North East's journey into Amrit Kaal during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the NEC last year, Kishan Reddy pointed out that 5G connectivity was one of the pillars of this vision, and today, India takes a significant step closer to its fulfillment.
Minister G. Kishan Reddy concluded by reaffirming the government's unwavering commitment to establishing the North East as India's new growth engine, with over 5 lakh crores invested in connectivity and infrastructure development in the region over the past nine and a half years.
