IT revolution is my 'Mission Kashmir': Mahajan

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, JAN. 6. The Union Information Technology Minister, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, has said that IT is the best tool to neutralise militancy and insurgency and that his `Mission Kashmir' is not of bombs and blasts but of a digital revolution which would help in integrating Kashmir with the rest of the country.

He dedicated today the first Software Technology Park of India (STPI), which was inaugurated by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, to the people of the Valley.

Mr. Mahajan said ``I have a vested interest in expanding the IT sector here''. Had Kashmir been developed as a showcase of software and IT, there would have been no need for politicians to re-affirm that Kashmir was an integral part of India. The ``whole world would have been automatically referring to it as India's Kashmir.'' He said a similar park would be set up in Jammu.

Mr. Mahajan expressed concern over some people creating hurdles in extending technology and communication to the State. Referring to his last visit to Kargil when he was not able to use his mobile phone, the Minister said that the facility had been kept away from the State so far citing security reasons. ``This is a foolish argument that militancy will increase with the introduction of mobile phones.'' It would rather help in containing insurgency. ``I have realised this fallacy and will, with Dr. Abdullah, prevail upon the Defence Minister to clear mobile phones for the State.'' Militants and the criminals had the best communication system and were ahead of police, he said.

Mr. Mahajan asserted that opening the doors to IT revolution would go a long way in tackling militancy and in countering propaganda against the Government.

India was a major power in the IT sector and ``no power on earth can stop it now''.

Dr. Abdullah stressed upon a need to involve young professionals in this sector.

The Union Minister of State for Commerce, Mr. Omar Abdullah, who played a pivotal role in establishing the STPI here said that this was only a beginning in this sector and a lot more needed to be done.

The Principal Secretary for Industries and Commerce, Mr. Mohammad Shafi Pandit, said the STPI was built at the cost of Rs. 9 crores in a record time. The infrastructure to be made available to entrepreneurs includes high-speed data communication, microwave linkage to units, communication facility, banking facility, uninterrupted power supply and round- the-clock security. A number of concessions would be available to unit-holders. The State Industries Minister, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, also spoke.

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