Benefits of research outcomes must reach common man: govt

New Delhi: “The government has taken numerous steps to ensure that the benefits of research by various scientific institutions and universities in the country reach to the common man and also for commercialization of developed technology,” stated the Minister of State for Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Y S Chowdary in a written reply to a question in Parliament.

Mr Chowdary gave details about the various research programs that have a bearing on the welfare of common people. He further said that Department of Science & Technology (DST) has launched many programs for well-being of the common man across the country, particularly those living in rural areas and the under-privileged sections of society such as Long Term Core Support through Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA) scheme, Technological Intervention for Addressing Societal Needs (TIASN) and Technology Application for Livelihood Improvement of Scheduled Caste Population (TALIM-SC).

The Minister added that the Women Technology Parks are being created, wherein academia and field based S&T agencies/organizations identify local challenges and address these through appropriate S&T interventions. Department has also established Technology Business Incubators in 113 scientific institutions and universities to help commercialization of Technologies and innovations. DST is also implementing bilateral collaborative industrial R&D programs with several countries, which have participation from industry, enterprises, academia and R&D institutions from both sides, to develop prototypes, products or processes with commercial potential.

In addition, the Ministry, through the Technology Development Board (TDB), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and other extramural programmes also supports commercialization of developed technology, he said.

Mr Chowdary further gave detailed account on various programmes being spearheaded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

“The CSIR operated project activities under ‘CSIR-800’ program are aiming at bringing in desired S&T interventions for improving quality of life of common people at base of the economic pyramid, he said, “The efforts include, a food processing unit set up at CSIR-Centre for High Altitude Biology (CSIR-CeHAB) in the remote tribal region of Lahaul and Spiti;Empowering the selected Women self-help groups in Manipur;Training and skill development techniques to terracotta pottery rural artisans across various states; Arsenic removal technology and de-floridation plants & variety of other water purification plants for community/ domestic use in Rural Areas for common people; Popularizing mushroom technology through transfer and training to benefit rural women in North East Sates; Medicinal & Aromatic plants (MAPs) and other related technologies for rural development in Jammu & Kashmir region and Western Himalayan region.”

“The CSIR has also started Samadhan Kendra, a Rural Information Technology centre to provide details about the agriculture,” revealed the Minister.