Engineers asked to join hands in policy making

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 4 (EMN): Terming engineers as ‘foundation and drivers of development,’ advisor of IT and Communication, Science and Technology and Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon, has urged the former to join hands with policy makers for the welfare of future Nagas.

Kikon stated this during the ‘World Engineering Day’ organised by the Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Associations (FONSESA) in Kohima on Friday on the theme “Build back wiser- Engineering the future.” Kikon said scientists dream of great things and engineers implement them.

Stating that many attempts were made by many brilliant minds since Nagaland attained its statehood in 1963 to ensure development in the state, he however stated that there was no equitable distribution of resources on the basis of requirement in every village, districts or sub-division.

The advisor reminded the engineers to bring out good policy basing on correct data for sustainable development of the future of the state. He also reminded them to work collectively for the future generation of the Nagas.

He also cautioned against favouritism while executing their service saying, “else we will remain in the same place where we were in 1963.” While designing policies for the state, he asked the engineers to do so by envisioning a “better and beautiful Nagaland.”

While underlining the need to bring innovative, progressive ideas and knowledge to the society, Kikon further reminded the members to leave a good legacy for juniors to follow suit.

Also speaking on the occasion, FONSESA president, K Hutoi Sema, stated that the event was observed to promote engineering as a career while providing an opportunity to change the world for better and to ensure that everyone has access to clean water, sanitation, reliable energy, and other basic human needs.

Asserting that Nagaland as a state has vision and mission in the areas of rural development, renewable energies, agriculture and food processing, information and communication technology, education etc, he urged upon the members to work with sincerity to achieve the sustainable development goal.

Kekhriezhalie Sorhie, project officer from New and Renewable Energy (NRE), informed that in 2019, Nagaland reported an unusual spike in temperature while in 2020 and 2021, the state was declared drought. He also made a powerpoint presentation on the need for renewable energy and various schemes under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and achievements made by the department.

Chirhotho Rasutho, joint director of Geology and Mining, made a presentation on various activities of the department. He also highlighted on mineral exploration, enforcement of mining laws, liasoning works with oil companies and other agencies, groundwater exploration and construction of tube wells as well as laboratory analysis of minerals and water.

Rasutho informed that some minerals like petroleum and natural gas, coal, nickel-cobalt-chromium bearing magnetite, high grade limestone/marble, dimensional/decorative stone such as spilite, gabbro, basalt, serpentinite, dunite,quartzite, sandstone, slate are found in Nagaland.