Skip Over Navigation Links

About Council

About Council

About Council | BSS Report

BRAINSTORMING SESSION ON IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY AREAS FOR S&T INTERVENTION

Recognizing S&T as an important tool for the development of Uttarakhand a brain storming session was organized jointly by the DST, Govt.of India, New Delhi, and Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) on 25th March 2006, at Dehradun. The event was attended by over 70 participants from administration, academics, NGOs, industries, scientific institutions and media persons. The objective was to identify the priority areas in policy planning, science popularization, R&D, entrepreneurship and societal programs.

  • Session 1 : S&T Policy and R&D.
  • Session 2 : Entrepreneurship, TOT and Societal Programs.
  • Session 3 : Science Popularization and Communication).
  • Session 4 : Science Popularization and Communication.

Session 1 : S&T Policy and Research & Development.

I) S&T policy

In the first part of the session, Science & Technology Policy was discussed. It was resolved that State Science & Technology Policy will be termed as "Science & Technology Promotion and Development Policy". The policy should include the following points :

1. Mountain-specific Science

  • Water Management in the hill state recognized as major issue.
  • High altitude agriculture to be promoted.

2. Education for women-emphasis, remove drudgery of women

  • Science literacy in women to be increased.
  • Priority on organic, herbal, hydro-energy and tourism
  • To be done as per the mandate of the State of Uttarakhand.

3. Networking of Universities and R&D labs in the State.

  • Emphasis on Nano-technology and Bio-fuel. Bio-resource, Bio-diversity and Germ plasm.
  • `
  • Formulation of a sustainable development strategy, creation of gene banks.

4. Development of human resource

  • Trained man power to be developed keeping in view the social and cultural background.
  • Fusion of traditional knowledge to be used along with scientific methods Taking science to grass root level Technology packaging

5. R&D priorities from three angles

  • Developing excellence in science and supporting cutting edge research. Research of relevance to the state/location specific.
  • Skill up gradation and development of sophisticated infrastructure including centers of excellence.

II) Research and Development

In the second part of the session, Research & Development issues were discussed. It was recommended that basic sciences should not be sacrificed while promoting the applied sciences. Keeping in backdrop, the advent of new research arenas in Science & Technology, especially in fast developing field of 'Cutting-Edge Technologies', following areas for R&D efforts were suggested with particular reference to the State of Uttarakhand :

Bio-Prospecting and Agro-Bio-Diversity

  • Value addition to food Disaster Management Glaciology, Water Resource Development and Water Harvesting Eco-tourism Enhancing the agricultural productivity in rain-fed areas. Aquaculture and fisheries Organic farming Seismology Waste Management Electronics and IT Hydro-power and non-conventional energy resources Intellectual Property Rights related issues Photonics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and Astrophysics S&T education Setting S&T parks Production research Building materials River eco-systems.
  • Promotion of traditional knowledge in herbal/medicinal plants

Session 2 : Entrepreneurship, TOT and Societal Programs.

In the second session Entrepreneurship, Transfer of Technology and Societal Programs were discussed. Under this heading, the issues of application of Science & Technology in the physically challenging terrain of hills were discussed. The concept of creating Technology Resource Centers (TRCs) in different districts was appreciated. The TRCs will not only work as technology providers but also test the feasibility of available technology in the field. Following recommendations were made during the session

Technology should be selected and approved according to local needs and local technicians to be promoted.

  • Marketing for local agro-based products and market linkage. Development of technology to help support transportation in hills. For example: trolleys on gravitation principle may be developed for carrying grass, fuel wood, local fruits etc. Creation of Technical Resource Centre (TRC) for training and capacity building. Establishment of Resource Centers for local needs Women contribution in development of entrepreneurship. Connectivity in communication, commutation and transportation.
  • Student project program to be encouraged and practiced on the same lines as in the state of Karnataka.

Session 3 : Science Popularization and Communication

In the third session the theme of "Taking Science to the People" was deliberated. In order to provide greater visibility of Science & technology in the rural areas, the efforts of UCOST in establishing Vigyan Prasar Kendras (VPKs) were appreciated. It was also decided that a Science City and a Planetarium be constructed as early as possible in order to enlighten the common citizen with the power of scientific knowledge. This will create scientific temper in the society as it is envisaged in our constitution. Following recommendations were made during this session :

Science for society, science literacy, development of scientific temper amongst common public.

  • Particular focus on underprivileged and weaker sections. Establish more than 100 Vigyan Prasar Kendra (VPKs) all over the State. Establish Rural Development Centers (RDC) at block level. Establish Indian Institutes for Rural Technology. Identification of talent at early stage. Make Bal Vigyan Congress and include teachers from schools. Awards for popularization of science. Training program for science teachers.
  • Writing scientific articles in local language.

Session 4 : Extended Session (Special Session)

Following recommendations were made in this special session:

  • As it was agreed in Session I, that State science Policy will be termed as State Science & Technology Promotion and Development Policy. A small committee comprising of the following will give shape to the draft policy, as per the parameters decided in Session 1.
  • Prof A. N. Purohit, Dr. L.M.S. Palni, Dr. Rajendra Dobhal, Dr. D. P. Juyal, Dr. A. K. Tewari

new Centers of Excellence in the following areas be created

  • Rural development Water Resource Management Horticulture Operational research for health care .
  • Technology, business incubators
  • Priority will be given where some infrastructure and expertise is already available. Duplication is to be avoided in creating Centers of Excellence.
  • The funding mechanism for R&D projects is to be peer reviewed followed by a presentation before an expert committee with at least 7-9 experts from outside the state

***



S&T Policy and R&D.

Chairperson : Dr. Manju Sharma (Ex-Secy., DBT, GOI, New Delhi).
Co-Chairperson: Prof. S.P. Singh (Vice Chancellor, Garhwal University, Srinagar).
Panellist: Prof. A.N. Purohit (Ex- Vice Chancellor, Garhwal University, Srinagar). Dr. B.R. Arora (Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun). Shri Indu Bhaskar (Director, DSIR, GOI, New Delhi).

Entrepreneurship, TOT and Societal Programs

Chairperson: Padma Bhushan Shri. C. P. Bhatt (Sarvodaya Kendra, Gopeshwar).
Co-Chairperson : Dr. Hemant Joshi, (Indian Institute of Mass Comm. New Delhi).
Panellist : Prof. Renu Bhargava (Dept. of Civil Engg. IITRoorkee, Roorkee). Shri Sanjay Bajpai (PSO, DST, GOI, New Delhi). Dr. Rajnish Karki (Rajnish Karki & Associates, Mumbai).

Science Popularization and Communication

Chairperson : Shri Anuj Sinha (Advisor, NCSTC, GOI, New Delhi).
Co-Chairperson: Dr. L.M.S. Palni (Project Director, State Biotech Program, Govt. of UA)
Panellist: Prof. Asha Chandola (Head, Dept. of Zoology, Garhwal Univ. Srinagar). Dr. Hemant Joshi, (Indian Institute of Mass Comm. New Delhi).

Extended Session

Chairperson: Dr. Manju Sharma (Ex-Secy., DBT, GOI, New Delhi).
Panellist: Shri Anuj Sinha (Advisor, NCSTC, GOI, New Delhi).
Dr. Rajendra Dobhal (Director, Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology, Dehradun).
If you find any broken link please inform us !

Social Media Links