[Assam] TCS’ plan to make Guwahati tech hub (The Sentinel,01.09.07)

[Buljit Buragohain]

TCS’ plan to make Guwahati tech hub
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 31: The Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has planned to transform Guwahati into a major tech hub in the next few years in the line of Bangalore. The capital city will also have direct IT trade links with South Asian countries. 
Addressing a press meet here today, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, who is instrumental in persuading the TCS to have a look at the infrastructure of the State, said, “We are confident that the TCS will be interested. Technically at this moment, both Guwahati and Shillong have the infrastructure. I am keen for the TCS because in the IT industry it is the only one having a national presence. If the TCS comes, others will follow. We are fighting against the mindset,” he said.
Ramesh asserted that security remained the single most important issue in Asom. “It is no longer money, connectivity and flight schedule; it can’t be denied that everyone is scared of security,” he said.
The TCS team also raised the security matter along with connectivity, and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi assured the team of full cooperation.
“The most motivating factor for the TCS to come here is the IIT. I am sure that in the next couple of weeks, the TCS will make some announcement. The bride has seen the bridegroom, and now the engagement has to be fixed,” he opined.
TCS Managing Director Ramadorai, who has come to the city, went to visit the IIT today and selected a 100-acre plot to carry out its mission.
Ramesh hoped that Guwahati could be the hub of TCS’ South East Asian business. “Geographically too, it is more suitable,” he said.
Last year, the TCS gave employment to 200 youths of the North-east. By the end of this year, the TCS will recruit 20,000 youths from the region, of which 8,000 are from Asom. The National Software Company will enrol them, the minister said.
He also announced that BSNL would be celebrating 2008 as the year of the North-east.
“I have several rounds of talks with the Union Telecom Ministry, and considering the fact that 50 per cent of the North-east telecom business is in the hand of BSNL, they are going to expand it in a big way next year,” the minister said.
“Unfortunately the North-east has just 12,500 Broadband connection of which 7,500 are in Asom. This is abysmally low, and I want this to be improved and BSNL has to do it,” the minister said.
Ramesh also announced that India’s largest garment exporter, Pearl Export, had sought permission to open a fashion institute in Guwahati. “I have forwarded the proposal to the Chief Minister,” he added.
“The North-east is rich in bio-diversity, now it will be bio-technologically rich. The TCS will open a biotechnology park in the city soon,” Ramesh said.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi discussed possibilities for investments in the State with Ramadorai. Gogoi, while welcoming the delegation members, assured them of all help and cooperation to Tata Group to set up an IT park on the outskirts of Guwahati. He hoped that the maiden visit of Ramadorai would pave the way for investments in the State by the IT magnate.
Gogoi also appreciated the industrial giant’s recent recruitment of 200 boys and girls form the State and encouraging rural artisans, particularly from tribal areas in procuring handicraft products.
State Minister for Commerce and Industries Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister for IT Himanta Biswa Sarmah, Chief Secretary PC Sarma and other senior officials of the State Government were also present on the occasion. State IT Secretary VS Bhaskar gave a power point presentation on IT initiatives taken by the State Government as well as the State’s potential in IT sector.
   
   (The Sentinel,01.09.07)



       
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