'IT alone cannot be the future of any country'

Santiniketan, Jan 29: Dr C N Rao, who was honoured with Desikottam Award at the Visva Bharati today, said IT alone cannot be the future of a nation.

'Desikottam' is the Doctorate of Literature and the highest honour of the University.

Dr Rao is a member of the Planning Commission; Chairman of Scientific Advisory Committee of Unon Cabinet; Science Advisory to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of NE University among others.

He has around 1200 research publications and 37 books.

"IT cannot only be the future of a nation. Globalisation and commercialisation have increased the interest among students to read IT," he said.

"Every year around 4,00,000, students come out reading IT, whereas its 75,000 in USA. Thts the reason they have quality," he added. "I have told our Prime Minsiter that this trend has to be stopped or we will not have good teachers or research workers. I hope Visva Bharati will take a leader's role in helping us get away from this trend. the government will support the university with whatever infrastructural support you want," he said.

He also hoped Kolkata will take a lead role in turning tjis trend and producing more researchers.

The award was handed ocver to him by Vice-chancellor Rajat Kanta Roy at Uttarayan.

UNI