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Arunachal Governor Calls on NERIST Students to Build Inclusive Technology

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 9:40 GMT by ThePrint

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Arunachal Governor Calls on NERIST Students to Build Inclusive Technology that Bridges Digital and Social Gaps

In a spirited address delivered at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) in Tawang, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Bhupinder Singh, urged the institute’s students to channel their technical expertise toward “inclusive technology” that would reduce disparities and uplift the state’s remote communities. His speech—published on ThePrint—highlights the pivotal role that science‑and‑technology education can play in addressing the unique developmental challenges faced by the Northeast (NE) region.

The Context: A Digital Divide that Mirrors Social Inequality

Arunachal Pradesh, located at the frontiers of India, is characterized by rugged terrain, scattered villages, and a mosaic of tribal cultures. The state’s connectivity—both physical and digital—is uneven, with many communities still lacking reliable internet, modern healthcare, and quality education. The Governor reminded the audience that “the technology we create must be designed for, not just by, the people who live here.”

The NE region, according to recent Census data and the Ministry of Electronics & IT’s Digital India statistics, lags behind the national average in broadband penetration, smartphone usage, and digital literacy. This gap not only hampers economic growth but also perpetuates social inequities. Addressing it, therefore, becomes a “development imperative” rather than a mere technological upgrade.

NERIST: A Hub of Innovation and Community Service

Founded in 2014 under a central government–state partnership, NERIST is the only central institute of higher learning in the entire Northeast. The institute’s mission is “to build human resource capacity for the development of the Northeast through interdisciplinary research and technology.” Its students—who hail from across the state and neighboring states—are engaged in cutting‑edge fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, renewable energy, and bioinformatics.

In his remarks, Governor Singh highlighted several ongoing student projects that align with his call for inclusive tech:

1. Smart Agriculture Platforms – Utilizing satellite imagery and machine learning to predict crop yields and provide real‑time advisories to smallholder farmers.
2. Health‑in‑a‑Box – A low‑cost, solar‑powered diagnostic kit that can detect malaria and tuberculosis on site.
3. E‑Governance Apps – Mobile interfaces that translate local tribal languages into English for administrative processes, thereby improving access to government services.
4. Forest Monitoring System – A network of low‑power sensors to track forest cover and wildlife movement, helping prevent illegal logging.

These initiatives illustrate how NERIST’s research can directly benefit the very people it is meant to serve.

Governor’s Call: “Build Inclusive, Build Sustainable”

The Governor’s central message—“Build inclusive technology to reduce disparity and uplift communities”—was underscored with a strong emphasis on sustainability and cultural sensitivity. He urged students to:

• Prioritize Local Context: “Tech solutions that ignore cultural nuances will fail.”
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Engineering, social science, and indigenous knowledge must work hand‑in‑hand.
• Champion Ethical Design: Data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equitable access should guide every development stage.
• Engage Communities: “Feedback loops with end‑users ensure that technology actually meets needs, not just theoretical ideals.”

He also drew attention to the NE region’s unique strengths: a high density of forest cover, a vibrant tradition of craftsmanship, and a multilingual population. Harnessing these assets through technology could create new markets—think of “tribal digital design” or “forest‑based renewable energy.”

Aligning with National and International Initiatives

The Governor referenced several government schemes that provide a fertile backdrop for NERIST’s mission:

• Digital India’s “Digital Infrastructure for Rural Areas” – Targeted broadband projects in Arunachal’s districts.
• Skill India’s “Nodal Centres” – Platforms for upskilling in digital and soft skills.
• UN SDG 4 & 9 – Focus on inclusive education and sustainable industrialization.

He also highlighted the recent partnership between NERIST and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur on a joint research grant, which will provide both financial and mentorship support for student projects.

The Broader Vision: Inclusive Tech as a Catalyst for Social Transformation

Governor Singh’s appeal transcends mere technological innovation; it is a call for socio‑economic transformation. He reminded the audience that inclusive tech can:

• Bridge Urban–Rural Gaps: Remote villages can access tele‑medicine, e‑learning, and market information.
• Promote Gender Equality: Mobile apps that provide women with safety alerts and access to micro‑credit.
• Strengthen Environmental Stewardship: Data‑driven conservation tools empower communities to protect their forests.
• Foster Cultural Preservation: Digital archives and language‑learning apps keep tribal traditions alive.

He cited a successful example from Uttarakhand, where a student‑led mobile app connecting local artisans to national markets helped preserve cultural heritage while boosting livelihoods. Such examples demonstrate the dual social and economic impact that inclusive tech can generate.

Take‑away Messages for Students and Policymakers

1. Integrate, Don’t Isolate: Technology should complement, not replace, indigenous practices.
2. Design for Margins: The most vulnerable—girls, elderly, and those in the most isolated villages—should be at the centre of the design process.
3. Measure Impact, Not Output: Use real‑world metrics (e.g., increased school attendance, reduced health‑related travel) to assess success.
4. Policy‑Tech Synergy: Collaborative frameworks between NERIST and state ministries can accelerate scaling.

In closing, the Governor promised to continue supporting NERIST’s vision by facilitating stakeholder meetings and creating an “Innovation Accelerator” that will channel funding and mentorship into high‑potential student projects.

Conclusion

Arunachal’s Governor Bhupinder Singh has effectively used his platform to remind NERIST students that their scientific pursuits are not abstract exercises but instruments of change. By championing inclusive technology—rooted in local realities, ethically designed, and sustainably implemented—students can help shrink the digital divide and elevate the quality of life across the state’s remote communities. The message is clear: the next wave of NE innovation must be for the people, by the people, and with the people. The journey toward an equitable, tech‑empowered Arunachal has just begun.