National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya today inaugurated its maiden workshop on “Viksit Bharat @2047 – Atmanirbhar North East” at its permanent campus, Saitsohpen, Sohra in association with Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, New Delhi and North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
The event marked the beginning of a two-day journey dedicated to envisioning a self-reliant and prosperous North East India by 2047. The event was quite engaging with 120 participants from across the country including the members from various states such as Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat etc.
The ceremony commenced with a traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolising the illumination of knowledge and progress.
Prof. Ayon Bhattacharjee of NIT Meghalaya, welcomed the attendees, stressing the importance of regional knowledge and community-driven development for Atmanirbhar Bharat. Key dignitaries graced the occasion, delivering inspiring speeches that resonated with the workshop’s theme of fostering sustainability and self-reliance in the North East.
The chief guest of the event, Dr. Atul Kothari, National Secretary of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, delivered a keynote on the National Education Policy, 2020 highlighting traditional and modern systems for holistic progress.
The guest of honour, Prof. Mukul S. Sutaone, Director of IIIT Allahabad, underscored the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in NEP-2020. Guest of Honour, Prof. U S Dixit from IIT Guwahati, highlighted the role of traditional knowledge in sustainable development.
Prof. Pinakeswar Mahanta, Director of NIT Meghalaya, outlined the workshop’s goal of fostering a self-reliant North East by 2047, emphasising the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science.
In the workshop, discussion was made on “Indian and Traditional Knowledge Systems” and “Traditional Practices of the North East”, which was conducted by experts, such as Swami Anuragananda, Secretary RKM Sohra, Lanu Ignatius, Prof. Pankaj Kalita of IIT Guwahati, Dr. Juri Gogoi Konwar of Tezpur University, Prof. Narayan Chandra Talukdar, Prof. Borgohain of NEIGRIHMS, Alka Kharsati who is a Khasi traditional healer, Dr. Vishnu Choudhury of NEIAH, Dr. Anju Sehgal and Prof. Mousumi Guha Banerjee.
They highlighted the value of indigenous knowledge for technological and social advancements, while interactive brainstorming sessions led to actionable recommendations for integrating these systems into mainstream education and innovation. Dr. A P Singh concluded the inaugural function with a heartfelt vote of thanks.
