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Debesh Das (right) with bursar David Foning and Tapan Kumar Pradhan, Director Saptashree Gyanpeeth in Kalimpong on Wednesday.
Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, June 13: It is too early to say, but the hill town could well be an IT hub of the country if the wishes of a private trust come true.

Bengal IT minister Debesh Das today said the Dr Triguna Sen Trust has evinced an interest in setting up an IT park here. The trust has a plot of land in Kalimpong, he said while addressing an interactive session at Dr Graham’s Homes here.

The minister was here to lend his support to a BPO training academy being set up by the school. “This is a right step at an appropriate time. Such an academy is needed in several places,” Das said.

Pointing out that by 2010 India will need 50 lakh professionals in IT and IT enabled services, the minister said: “Starting of this BPO school is important if it can produce a talent pool (required by BPOs).” Referring to the number of education institutions in the hills, Das said these, too, could be harnessed into creating a talent pool for the BPO industry.

“I have seen in Calcutta that about 25 per cent of the workforce in some companies is from the Northeast. The hills and Siliguri have a good opportunity for growth in the BPO industry because of its proximity to the Northeast. Other advantages are low rent and price of land.”

D.K. Chaudhury of BPO Academy said the institute will churn out 1,000 personnel every year. He also thanked the minister for a broadband Internet connection in Kalimpong. Homes bursar David Foning said schools in the hills have supported the academy.