Bihar ministers learn to operate tablet computers, but only a few turn up for workshop

Catching up with the latest in information technology, Bihar ministers on Wednesday received training in computer and tablet computer operation but only a handful of them turned up at the workshop held for them.

Inaugurating the day-long workshop, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told the ministers that no one could cheat them if they were abreast with information technology and he would try to train himself in IT.

"Today the entire world is talking about information technology and hightech. If we lag behind then our country and state will be deprived of development," Manjhi said in his inaugural address. He said be it politicians or officials functional knowledge in computer, laptop and internet is necessary.

The chief minister exuded pleasure that Bihar has registered more development in wi-fi in comparison to other states and the world's longest wi-fi zone had been established in Patna. State Information Technology minister Shahid Ali Khan said in today's world definition of literacy has changed and only those persons who have knowledge of computer and the internet are called literate.

The ministers were taught to use the device by experts of National Institute of Electronic and Information Technology at the workshop in which only 10 ministers out of a total of 32 turned up at the inuagural session.

Out of the 10 ministers, the chief minister and four others left after the speeches. When scribes asked Shahid Ali Khan about the thin attendance of ministers at the training session, he said, "The programme will run for the whole day and people will keep dropping in."