PONDA: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Saturday said that he has a dream to make Goa number one state in the technological field.

"It’s my dream to develop the state in the education sector and with the help of the Prime Minister, this is possible," Mr Kamat said while inaugurating the National Institute of Technology at Farmagudi, Ponda. The director of NIT, Surathkal, Mr Sandeep Sancheti was also present at the inaugural function.

NIT Surathkal is the mentor institute of NIT Goa.

Mr Kamat said that his government has been laying stress on education and, therefore, he had even urged the Centre for upgradation of the Goa University. The Chief Minister further said that Goans are talented in all the fields and having an NIT in the state would benefit the Goan youth in a big way. The Chief Minister, however, lamented that many a times Goans oppose even some good projects, which later go to other states.

The local MLA and Transport Minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar said that Farmagudi is an educational hub and that the government is keen on encouraging various colleges and technical institutions. He also praised the Prime Minister for his gift to Goa in the form of NIT and urged the youth to derive maximum benefits from the institute.

The Chief Secretary, Mr Sanjay Srivastava said that NITs provide good opportunities to talented young people in the country and added that Goans too should lap up such opportunities. The Education Secretary, Mr M Modassir also spoke at the inaugural function.

On the occasion, website of NIT Goa and a booklet on information of NIT Goa was released at the hands the Chief Minister. Mr Sancheti welcomed the gathering while the principal of the Goa Engineering College, Mr Vivek Kamat proposed the vote of thanks.