Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 267/19

CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES DIGITAL PLANETARIUM

Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma, today inaugurated the Digital Planetarium/Space Education Centre and Innovation Hub at Shillong Science Centre, Mawlai, NEHU, Shillong. Speaking to a gathering of a large auditorium of school students, Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma congratulating Shillong Science Centre and NEHU said that the centre will be a place where young minds will be ignited. He said that innovation drives the economy and ensures that services and products are delivered efficiently. “If you look today at the whole world the leading economies are those that are driven by innovations, innovations is an integral part of any economy of a country,” he said. He informed that Meghalaya Start up Policy 2018 recently approved by the cabinet provides a push and creates a platform and ecosystems for innovations to thrive. He added that it is only through innovations that the entrepreneurs and industrial sectors grow which leads to growth of economies. He said the realizing the importance of innovation and the lack of the State in this regard much need to be done to create innovative minds that will produce great entrepreneurs and industrialists. “The youth of the State have great talents and potential what is needed is to give them a thrust and help to explore and realize their talents and creativity and the inauguration of the innovation centre is a small step to spark innovation,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that the culture of Science must be instilled in the students and schools need to create Science Clubs and hold periodic innovative, Maths and Business Plans competitions in the institutions. He urged the students to take full advantage of the Shillong Science Centre and forever remain curious, creative and innovative. Earlier, in his address, Director, National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata, A D Choudhury, informed that it is the mandate of NCSM to create Science museums and innovative hubs and the centre in Shillong is the 34th that has been created. He urged the young students to create innovative inventions that would make life easier for all and which would be of help to others. He also informed that NCSM would create one such centre at Tura and also the Science City at Guwahati that would cater to the whole North Eastern Region. The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions that were held during the occasion. Among others present during the inauguration were Pro VC NEHU, Prof H Lamin and Project Director, Shillong Science Centre, Shri C V D Diengdoh.