MokokchungTimes.com

Mokokchung Times

Mokokchung Times Exclusive

Interactions with science enthusiasts reveal grim reality of Nagaland’s science & innovation sectors

ByMOKOKCHUNG TIMES

Feb 28, 2022

“I visited Nagaland Science Centre hoping to see something interesting last week. As I entered, I thought it was a park”

Mokokchung Times News

Mokokchung | February 27

 

Understanding that the key driver for any economic growth in a global economy is innovation fueled by Research and Development (R&D), an interaction with science enthusiasts and innovators revealed the disquieting condition of science, technology and innovation sectors in Nagaland.

 

Nagaland’s Science & Technology (S&T) came to existence in October 1986 comprising of one technical hand, one Science Officer and seven ministerial staff. In 1991, the state government created a directorate with a handful of scientific officers. In order to supplement the activities of the Department, two bodies: Nagaland Science & Technology Council (NASTEC) and Nagaland Science Centre were set up.

 

However, according to visitors, Nagaland Science Centre in Dimapur which was established in 2004 under the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of Nagaland, was nothing more than a ‘park’ and appealed to the government to maintain it with more seriousness.

 

“I visited Nagaland Science Centre hoping to see something interesting last week. As I entered, I thought it was a park,” narrated one of the visitors in utter disappointment.

 

“Things in the science center are there to reach out to people regarding science but it’s not functioning…most of the equipment there is non-functional,” added another.”I wish they can set up a good museum for biology too while making sure that the equipment present right now is made functional,” suggested another.

 

Regarding the planetarium in the science center, many shared their displeasing experience with Mokokchung Times.

“There were huge banners posted outside and it read that it shall open from eleven till evening. So, we went in the evening only to be told that it was not operational,” one of the visitors shared.
“It was not hosting any show during my visit so I sadly returned back to Kohima,” recalled a scholar from Kohima.

 

The Innovation Hub which the DST of Nagaland initiated in 2019 often organizes contests on ideas and innovations periodically. However, citizens feel that such privileges are mostly claimed by students of Dimapur and Kohima in terms of participation due to limited awareness in the rest of the districts.

 

A native student from Mon said, “I never got to hear about such a contest when I was in Mon. People over there simply have no idea or information about such contests. It’s only after I came to Dimapur, I learnt about all such contests.”

 

Similar responses were received from the citizens of Mokokchung, Tuensang and Zunheboto where people expressed their unawareness towards such competitions held.

Zenwang Konyak, popularly known for his ‘Double Supply Ventilator’ innovation during the pandemic, expressed his wishes to contribute to the society through his innovations but later called it a ‘waste of time’ if no assistance were to come through.

 

“I’d rather have financial assistance in the form of funds rather than be featured in a newspaper,” he jests while responding to what stopped him from further innovations. “I am actually pursuing my PhD now but I will innovate in the future. I just wish the funding scenario would be completely different than now by then,” he concluded.

 


According to Budget 2021-22, the DST of Nagaland was provided with Rs 300 lakh which includes Rs 200 lakh for purchase of equipment for the Lab and Planetarium. Currently, in Nagaland, innovation hubs exist only in Kohima and Dimapur while there is only one science center located in Dimapur. Considering the present scenario of science and innovations in the state, it is felt that more innovation hubs and science centers should be set up in other districts of the state by allocating more funding and resources to the state’s Department of Science and Technology (DST).

By MOKOKCHUNG TIMES

Related Post

Mokokchung Mokokchung Times Exclusive

Mokokchung: Shiyong Minor Irrigation Project commissioned at Aliba village

Jun 27, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES
Mokokchung Times Exclusive Society

Crowdfunded effort builds public toilet along NH-702A

Jun 21, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES
Mokokchung Times Exclusive

When nonsense gets published: How predatory journals exploit India’s academics

Jun 3, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES
244 thoughts on “Interactions with science enthusiasts reveal grim reality of Nagaland’s science & innovation sectors”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News You Might Have Missed

Mokokchung Mokokchung Times Exclusive

Mokokchung: Shiyong Minor Irrigation Project commissioned at Aliba village

June 27, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES
Mokokchung

New traffic regulations to be enforced in Mokokchung Town from July 1

June 27, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES
Mokokchung

Mokokchung: Süngratsü students engage in cultural and organic farming practices

June 27, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES
Nagaland

SP Narcotics says Nagaland becoming key drug transit point

June 27, 2025 MOKOKCHUNG TIMES