Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Dr Ashwath Narayan who is the minister in charge of Higher education, Skill Development, Information Technology and Bio-Technology said that the state is poised for a quantum leap in both the IT and BT sectors. He added that the state has adapted to the National Education Policy and said that the Skill development projects are now based on supply and demand. The minister who is a trained medical doctor from the world-famous medical institute, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore was speaking to senior journalist Arun Lakshman in an exclusive interview. Excerpts:
You are heading the crucial portfolios of Information Technology and Bio-Technology, are these sectors showing growth amidst the Covid pandemic?
As the whole globe was affected by Covid pandemic, we also suffered, but we were closely following the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and acted according to it. The main sectors are now open and are doing brisk business. The state government is expecting a giant leap in both the IT and BT sectors with the IT sector poised for a 150 billion dollar growth in the next couple of years while the BT sector is for a growth of 50 billion dollars in the same period. It is all work and we are working twenty-four hours to increase the brand value of Karnataka and to develop it as the global capital of IT and BT.
Karnataka is learnt to be doing exceedingly well in the Skill development area and you are heading that department as well, Your comments on the same?
Yes. We are into providing quality Skill development to youths across the state in association with the Skill development support initiative of the Government of India. In earlier days it was Skill development without focus and the result was that many youths who were trained under Skill development did not get placements, leading to disappointment. We have worked out on it and found that there has to be a balance between demand and supply and the training should be according to the market needs. This improved the situation and after our government assumed office we are stressing on this point and now almost all who are being trained under Skill development get placed in good companies.
The state government is expecting a giant leap in both the IT and BT sectors with the IT sector poised for a 150 billion dollar growth in the next couple of years while the BT sector is for a growth of 50 billion dollars in the same period
What are the other activities of the Ministry of Higher education? Can you elaborate?
UUCMS (Unified Universities and College Management Systems) is being developed and implemented in association with Department of E-governance. This is for the total computerization of all departments, academia, administration and exams. We are also into digital learning project by which the College faculties are preparing study materials, PPT videos, study materials and assignments with technology collaboration. Youth empowerment centres in 30 colleges in each district have been set up to create awareness on job opportunities for the youth of the state. A total of 69000 classes have been conducted to prepare students for the college education and technical education department and more than 12,500 video classes have been uploaded into the Jnananidhi YouTube channel for the pursuance of students. Two geostationary technology centres are also being set up at a cost of Rs 5 crore each to enhance employment opportunities for polytechnic and engineering students.
What about the National Educational Policy? How is its impact in Karnataka?
National Educational Policy and its implementation will be creating revolutionary changes in the educational system of the country and Karnataka is no exception. It has been on the agenda of the BJP and the extended Sangh Parivar. This policy will bring in qualitative education to the students of the state and we are working in the framework of the NEP for the betterment of education for children of our state.
We are a people-friendly, business-friendly and industrial-friendly government working according to the policies and programmes of our manifesto
How is the BJP government of Karnataka doing politically?
This government under Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa is a mix of experienced and seasoned leaders along with young leaders and this mix has led to major impetus in the growth of Karnataka. This is a people-centric government aiming to lift the livelihood of the people of the state in par with global standards and we are moving ahead according to the targets we have set for ourselves. We are also encouraging startups and are mainly focusing to channelize the youth of the state as harbingers for change and I think that we have done extremely well since we came to power and this is a positive sign for the people of Karnataka. The people-friendly and people-oriented programs of the Union government are practically implemented and executed in Karnataka for the benefit of the common man. While we are moving ahead to be a major destination for IT, BT, Industries we have taken a slew of measures to improve the lifestyle of the common man and to take them forward in life.
Will the BJP government come back to power in Karnataka in the next assembly elections?
Assembly elections are far away but the BJP government in the state is doing extremely well as I said earlier. We are a people-friendly, business-friendly and industrial-friendly government working according to the policies and programmes of our manifesto and I think that the party will romp home in the next assembly elections with a huge margin as the policies and programs implemented by this government has provided a positive impact in the lives of the people of Karnataka.
