Siliguri, July 30 -- Education, healthcare, and industry hold immense potential to transform North Bengal into a major hub of development, West Bengal Finance minister Padma Bhushan Swapan Dasgupta said while addressing a programme at the Siliguri Institute of Technology (SIT).
The Finance minister participated in a tree plantation drive at the institute before interacting with the media, where he emphasised that education would be the cornerstone of the region's long-term progress.
"Education is the only path through which true development and progress can be achieved," Dasgupta said, stressing the need to create a skilled workforce and strengthen the link between educational institutions, industry, and employment opportunities.
During his visit, the Finance minister held discussions with faculty members and academicians at SIT on the state's future development plans, highlighting the government's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education and social advancement.
Speaking on North Bengal's prospects, Dasgupta said: "The region has significant opportunities in education, healthcare, and industrial development. Strengthening higher education and research infrastructure while fostering closer collaboration between academic institutions and industries would accelerate both economic and social progress in the region."
The discussions also focused on expanding the role of educational institutions beyond conventional teaching by promoting research, innovation, skill development, and industry partnerships. The Finance minister assured that the state government would extend the necessary support to facilitate such initiatives.
Following the programme, Dasgupta interacted with students, encouraging them to contribute to the region's development through knowledge, innovation, and professional excellence.
The event was also attended by Siddhartha Das, Professor at IIT Kharagpur, and Satyam Roychowdhury, Founder and Managing Director of Techno India Group and Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata, and Techno India University, Tripura.
The message emerging from the SIT platform-promoting collaboration among education, research, innovation, and industry-is expected to play a significant role in shaping North Bengal's future development strategy.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.