IMPHAL, February 27: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said on Saturday that the State has taken the initiative to set up district science centres in the two hill districts of Ukhrul and Churachandpur.
He was speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed mirror magic gallery of the Manipur Science Centre of the Department of Science and technology at Takyelpat.
The Chief Minister also released three smart Manipuri-English E-dictionary and Bengali to Meitei Mayek script Transliteration software developed under the initiative of the department.
Happy with the work of the department, the CM lauded the department and said it is not only working to improve the Manipur Science Centre but has also taken the initiative for the setting up of the science centres in the hill districts.
“In time, we propose to have one Science Centre in every district of Manipur,” he said.
Speaking of the newly constructed mirror magic gallery, the Chief Minister said the types of science exhibits that we have seen today in the mirror Magic Gallery are all very new for Manipur.
“The Mirror Maze is very challenging to the visitor, which is an enjoyable experience, but also makes us think how it has been designed.”
He said “I have also seen the infinity train exhibit which gives illusion of a very long train with just one or two bogies.”
Such a science exhibit helps us to realise the difference between reality and illusion, he said adding on a lighter note “But, let me assure you that the railway line from Jiribam to Tupul is a reality and not an illusion.”
Further according to the Chief Minister, the two other important facilities coming up in the centre campus are the 50-seat digital planetarium and innovation hub.
He said “I am told that both the buildings are constructed by the MTDC Ltd as civil work agency.” He further urged the agency to complete the works quickly, as delay in any project adversely affects the quick development in the State and also delays the sanction of new projects.
The Chief Minister also said that the release of the three different software for promotion of Manipuri language by the department of Science and Technology, Manipur is an important achievement under Digital India.
Now any interested person from another State, who does not know how to read Manipuri in Bengali script can read the English to Manipuri dictionary word in his native script like Tamil, Oriya, Telegu etc, he observed.
For mobile phone users, the Android application of the dictionary has been tested in Beta version and found to have good response, he said, adding that the work for another improved version is being taken up.
The Chief Minister further congratulated the scientists of NIELIT-Imphal centre, Manipur Institute of Technology and DST-Manipur for working together which resulted in the successful development of the software which will be very useful to the public.
The chief Minister also appealed to department to encourage local innovators by providing space to display their innovative products to the public from next month at the Manipur science centre.
The “make in Manipur” initiative will be successful with the participation of more innovators, he added.
The Chief Minister also expressed that the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development, IBSD will be constructing a green building in the new land allotted to it in the Takyelpat Institutional Area.
A green building will be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the building’s life-cycle. This will also be a first of its kind in Manipur and should be an example to emulate, he added.
He said the IBSD is an important partner in the setting up of Biotechnology Park/ incubator in Manipur which has been initiated by the DST, Government of Manipur in association with the department of commerce and industries, government of Manipur.
Ibobi said that the Manipur digital film industry is extensively using the green chroma key technology to make movies and videos.
The TV studio corner set up inside the mirror magic gallery will help visitors understand how this technology works, he said.
He appreciated the national council of science museums for designing such interesting exhibits for the people saying that it teaches us that with modern technology, it is very easy to improve the images and produce movies with wonderful special effects without physically building them.
He also sought cooperation of all concerned to take the “make in Manipur” initiative forward. Social welfare and cooperation minister Ak Mirabai attended as guest of honour and regional science centre, national council of science museums, Guwahati project coordinator Pramod Grover attended as president respectively.