 Early Times Report
Jammu, May 17: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Centre celebrated World Telecommunication & Information Society Day on 17th May, 2026 with the theme “Digital Lifelines-Strengthening Resilience in Connected World”. The event was attended by Engineers from various Departments, Organizations and Senior Engineers along with Members of the Committee of IEI, Jammu Centre.
Dr. Piyush Singla, IAS, Secretary to the Government, IT Department, J&K Govt. graced the occasion as Chief Guest, Sh. Ajay Khajuria, Professor-of-Practice, MIET, Jammu, Advisor-KPMG; Former Marketing Head–Bharti Airtel, J&K was the Keynote Speakers. Er. Anil Verma, FIE Chairman, IEI, Jammu Centre presided over the function.
Er Anil Verma, FIE; Chairman in his Welcome Address touched the pros & cons of the present days Digital Lifelines. While glorifying their versatility, he lamented that although the ecosystem of present times is quite enabling but it is equally mind disabling. The Artificial Intelligence has completely enslaved the humans and has halted their thinking & innovative capabilities. He requested all the stakeholders to work in tandem to develop mechanisms to strengthen resilience in breaking this technological inertia of human minds. This will go a long way in checking the self-imposed inrush of digital euphoria in the World. He also emphasized that professionals should develop such systems which strengthen the cyber security network of our nation.
Sh. Ajay Khajuria, Keynote Speaker dwelt at length about the importance of connectivity in the present day’s World’s and informed that 95% of the internet connectivity in the World is through submarine cables and resilience needs to be built to safeguard them to stay connected. He suggested multiple fibre routes, backup power systems to sustain uptime and graphically separated sites of Data Centres for resilience. He concluded that when networks stay strong, societies stay strong.
During the seminar Er. B. L. Rawal, FIE; Er. Gopal Krishan Sharma, FIE; Er. Ranjeev Sawhney, MIE & Er. Joy Ganjoo, AM Technologist also presented their papers on the theme.
The speakers advocated for telecom as “Essential Service” with no complete shutdowns and establishment of separate CERT for J&K. They also asked for safeguarding the digital systems from floods and other such nature’s furies. They also stressed that Digital resilience is now a public safety requirement and all the concerned need to work in the direction for ensuring that this becomes a reality. |
