Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha today emphasized the need to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet for the welfare and progress of society.

He was speaking after launching Wi-Fi facilities in 11 government colleges (Phase II) and inaugurating the Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana for the academic year 2024–25 at the Government Arts and Crafts College, Lichu Bagan, Agartala.

The event was jointly organized by the Information Technology Department and the Higher Education Department.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saha said that access to Wi-Fi connectivity would bring multiple benefits to students and staff.

“Wi-Fi services have already been introduced in 19 government colleges across the state. Today, this facility is being extended to 11 more institutions. This initiative will significantly benefit students in their academic pursuits and enhance digital learning opportunities,” the Chief Minister said.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a technologically empowered nation, Dr. Saha remarked that India’s youth are its greatest strength.

“The youth between 18 and 35 years make up nearly 60–65% of our total population. No other country in the world has such a large and dynamic youth base. They will play a crucial role in realizing the Prime Minister’s dream of building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047,” he added.

The Chief Minister also expressed pride in Tripura’s rapid progress in multiple sectors.

“Recently, Tripura was declared the third fully literate state in the country—after Goa and Mizoram—based on UNESCO guidelines. This achievement reflects our growing dependence on and integration with technology in all spheres of life,” he said.

Under the Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana, final-year college students receive a grant of ₹5,000 to purchase smartphones, empowering them to stay connected and digitally equipped.

“Now that Wi-Fi is available in colleges, students won’t have to spend extra money on internet access. The state government has also introduced a start-up policy, attracting investors from outside Tripura. Airtel has been allotted land to set up data centers, which will further strengthen our digital infrastructure,” Dr. Saha noted.

He further underlined the importance of technology in every field—from healthcare to agriculture—and called for its responsible use.

“AI and the Internet are transforming medical services, education, and farming. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are all technology-driven. We must ensure that technology is always used for good and for delivering the best possible services to people,” he said.

Dr. Saha also stressed the need to expand mobile network coverage across Tripura by setting up more mobile towers.

The event was attended by Finance and Information Technology Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman, IT Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, IT Department Director, and several senior officials.