e-Naga Summit: Digital governance is the way forward

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Nov. 30 (EMN): Social media, e-Democracy and technology can have a significant impact on the formulation of policy by a government, future of the state and promotion of digital society in every corner of the world. Katrin Kivi, Ambassador of Estonia to India, asserted this during the fifth edition of e-Naga Summit.

It was organised by the department of Information and Technology and Communication (IT&C) on the theme, ‘Towards making the state of Nagaland a leader in e-Democracy and digital society’, at RCEMPA in Jotsoma on Saturday.

Kivi maintained that there were significant bilateral relations between India and Estonia, stating that in August, two MoUs were signed—one each on e-Governance and cyber security—between the two countries.

“My president met the prime minister of India on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and they discussed a wide range of issues related to digitalisation, cyber security and e-Governance,” the ambassador informed.

“There is also a more modern link connecting Nagaland and Estonia. That is e-Governance and digitalisation. Since 2015, the department of IT&C of Nagaland has organised this summit, which has been attended by experts from Estonia.” She also highlighted how e-governance in Estonia had succeeded, ranging from digital services such as e-ambulance, e-tax, e-banking, e-business register, e-schoolbag, intelligent transport systems, mobile parking etc.

Ninety-nine percent of government services were available online, saving over 844 hours of working time annually, and has become a hassle-free environment for business and entrepreneurship, she added.

“Digitalisation of my country not just makes it easy and convenient to communicate with the government. It also makes it more transparent and saves time and environment,” Kivi said.

Advisor to IT & C, Science and Technology and NRE, Mhonlumo Kikon said, “With the right policies and investments in human capital, we can empower young people to drive socio-economic development and boost our economy.”

He asserted that a new society is emerging where knowledge is the primary resource instead of capital and labour. The advisor expressed the need for young people to be innovative, creative and entrepreneurial stating, “We need the right opportunities and platforms and it is felt that this e-Naga summit is one platform where our young people can learn a lot from our resource persons and experts with vast experience and knowledge.”

Kikon also highlighted how the government has successfully implemented the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system in all government offices, common online scholarship, online inner line permit and departments have their own websites to disseminate information to the public.

“It is now time we harness the numerous benefits of information technology which is now playing a major role in building a knowledge-led economy and socio-economic development,” said Kikon.