"Information Technology in Gujarat : Powerhouse of The Next Millennium" Orgrnised by Government of Gujarat & Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development Murli Manohar Joshi will inaugurate a one-day national seminar on ‘Information Technology’ in Gujarat - Power House of the New Millennium’ to be jointly organised by the state government and the GCCI here on March13.

The objective of the seminar is to increase awareness in the state and give momentum to the growth of IT - the fastest growing sector. The proposed seminar expects to provide a platform to the representatives of Industry, professionals, experts from the government departments like ISRO so that the State government is able to capitalise on their experiences to frame the State IT policy".

Vasani said at a press conference that to use IT for the benefit of the common man it had been made mandatory in the government’s IT policy that every department has to spare 1 per cent of its budget for the growth of the IT infrastructure.

Computer education at the school level had to be given a shift to ensure that even rural children were given computer education so that they could be spared from cultural shock, he said. Gujarat has lagged behind the southern states in the creation of electronic industry base and the seminar was a beginning to bridge that gap, feels Vasani.

Gujarat is one of the leaders in industry - with 4.9% of the national population it produces 11.8% of the industrial output. To now make the transition to the New Age, the Government of Gujarat is taking major initiatives. A policy framework and attractive incentives for IT development have been announced; an info-city inaugurated; a State-wide communications network initiated; and many other steps.

The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) is the apex body representing the interests of trade and industry in the State. Realising the importance of IT to the future of Gujarat, GCCI has been playing a proactive and catalytic role in promoting IT.

This seminar seeks to increase awareness of the issues involved and learn from the experience of national & international IT leaders. Such a programme is a must for those who would lead this State into the New Millennium.