Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: DD,The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Centre celebrated World Telecommunication & Information Society Day with the theme “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation”.
The event was attended by Engineers from various Departments, Organizations and Senior Engineers along with Members of the Committee of IEI, Jammu Centre.
On this occasion, Satish Sharma, Minister for IT, Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Science & Technology, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, ARI & Training, Govt of J&K UT graced the occasion as Chief Guest, Manish Jain, Director Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, Jammu was the Keynote Speakers. Er. Anil Verma, FIE Chairman, IEI, Jammu Centre presided over the function.
Er. Anil Verma, Chairman in his Welcome Address introduced the day’s theme to the audience.
He emphasized that it is the prime duty of every citizen to make females digital savvy by making them aware about the use of ICTs. Smartphones in present days’ World can make a major difference to achieve Gender Equality in this context. He also advocated for issuance of one smartphone each to every Anganwadi worker so that she in turn can educate all the young girls and women in their respective Anganwadis digitally aware and literate.
Mr. Satish Sharma, Hon’ble Minister, Chief Guest in the beginning asked the gathering to observe two minutes silence for peace of departed souls during the recent conflict with the neighboring country. He also highlighted that digital transformation is going to transform the face of Jammu & Kashmir and in that league, efforts are being made to setup IT parks in cities of Jammu and Srinagar which shall provide employment to youth of J&K and especially 50% of the seats shall be reserved for females. It shall be a leap frog step in the gender inclusiveness and pave way for bridging the digital divide. The initiatives like free e-buses for women shall bring the women from rural areas closer to the main stream and help them to connect with employment opportunities across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir. The aim of J&K Govt. is to contribute towards sustainable development in our UT & end the years of gender discrimination prevailing in the society.
Mr. Manish Jain, Keynote Speaker highlighted the importance of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in digital transformation and initiatives of Department of Telecom for digital inclusiveness so that digital divide in the country is minimized. The goal of sustainable development is only possible if 50% of population i.e. females also equally create, code and lead our country to progress.
During the seminar Er. Ranjeev Sawhney, MIE; Er. Sachin Tickoo, MIE; Er. Joy Ganjoo, AM Technologist & Er. Anil Kumar, AMIE also presented their papers on the theme.
Er. Avneet Gupta, MIE, Honorary Secretary, IEI Jammu Local Centre presented the Vote of Thanks to the august gathering and media personnel for active participation.DD