The wave of digitization is sweeping through every aspect of our lives. Recognizing the need to keep up with ever-evolving technology, the state government of Arunachal Pradesh recently organized a capacity-building workshop on emerging technologies for its officials. The rapid pace of technological growth demands that we move at the same speed. The question is, are we running fast enough?

Efforts for Connectivity
Under the Bharat Net scheme, over 1,310 gram panchayats in Arunachal Pradesh have been connected with optical fiber, with plans for an additional 1,156 towers to promote digital inclusion. In addition, 254 4G mobile towers have been dedicated to the state, providing coverage for 336 villages. The government has also identified locations for establishing 1,156 4G towers as part of the USOF plan. The aim is to enhance connectivity through schemes like the 4G saturation scheme, which includes the installation of 2,424 4G sites using various technologies such as OFC, microwave, and VSAT.

Ensuring Consistency and Quality
While these efforts are commendable, the installation of towers alone does not guarantee reliable service. Constant power supply is essential for the towers to function effectively, but erratic power supply often hampers their operations. Furthermore, the maintenance of the entire infrastructure, including mobile towers, VSAT, and optical fibers, requires skilled personnel. Even minor maintenance work or defects can lead to months of service disruption. Therefore, in addition to quantity, it is crucial to focus on consistency of service and ensure the availability of quality human resources.

Revamping Education
Training government officers and officials is certainly a positive step, but it is equally important to take a bottom-up approach. To fully harness the benefits of digitization and emerging technologies, our educational system needs an overhaul. Initiatives like the Adhunik Shiksha Yojana (Smart Classroom), launched by the Chief Minister, have the potential to bring about significant change. However, smart classrooms are still rare in schools.

In addition to making classrooms smart, we should also strive to make students smarter. Encouraging students to explore beyond traditional subjects and introducing computer programming, computer language, and emerging technologies into the school curriculum is necessary. Although it may seem challenging, failure to initiate this early on will make the future even more difficult. A pilot program in selected schools could be an effective starting point. The government-sponsored skill training programs should focus not only on mundane skills but also on repairing and maintaining V-SAT, telecom towers, computer hardware, and other future-proof skills. This will help create a pool of youth who are ready for the challenges ahead.

Arunachal’s Digital Journey
While Arunachal Pradesh may still be in the early stages of its digital revolution, it is clear that it is becoming a reality. The question of whether Arunachal is ready for emerging technologies is no longer relevant, as digital revolution is already underway and impacting every aspect of our lives. We must prepare ourselves for the cultural and social changes that accompany sophisticated technologies. The state government has already taken revolutionary steps towards embracing the digital revolution and emerging technologies. In the days to come, we can confidently face the challenges and hesitations that may arise, as we fully embrace the forces of the digital revolution.

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