CHANDIGARH, Feb 12: Stress should be laid on the development of computer software and very large scale Integrated Circuit technology and a national-level programme should be initiated for manpower development in the field of information technology.This was brought out during the panel discussion in the two-day National Symposium on Information Technology, which concluded at the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, here today.Issues including multi-media, Internet technology, optical fibres in communication, telecommunication policies for the information age, global positioning systems and national information infrastructure were discused.It was also stressed that that infrastructural facilities in telecommunications need to be improved and the Internet facilities be provided at the grass root level, including schools.Cdr H.S. Sharma, president, Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers (IETE), Delhi, Dr R.P. Bajpai, chairman, IETE, Chandigarh, Col Inderjit Singh (Retd), Prof J.K. Gautam from Roorkee University, Dr D.N. Singh, general manager, Semi Conductor Complex, Mohali, Prof P.K. Saha, general manager, Telecom, Ferozepur, Prof R.P. Prashad from Punjab Engineering College and Wg Cdr K.D.S. Bali, secretary IETE Chandigarh took part in the discussion.As many as 600 delegates including scientists, engineers, policy planners and decision makers from government organisations, industry, laboratories and universities connected with information technology attended the seminar. Over 45 technical and research papers were also presented in six technical sessions.Inagurating the seminar yesterday, director, Semi Conductor Complex, Dr M.J. Zarabi stressed upon the need for rapid progress in this field. He said that India needed to work on futuristic projects like bio-computers and other non-conventional information processing techniques.He added that Indian business houses were not making optimim use of the Internet for improving quality and production and concerted efforts are required for development and user-friendly technology development.In his introduction address, CSIO additional director, Dr R.P. Bajpai said that business transactions and consumer services through "e-commerce" and computer networking was expected to touch US$ 327 billion by the year 2002.He stated that Punjab had been a leader in agricultural modernisation as well as industrial development and was now poised to be a leader in information technology.In his presidential address, Dr H.S. Sharma, president Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers said that India was far behind other countries in communication and there was a need to think seriously what had gone wrong. He emphasised global competition and adherence to a time scheduele in execution of projects.Over 50 delegates, will deliberate aspects of information technology during six technical seminars. About 45 research and technical papers will be presented during the symposium.
