Science and technology centre to create income source for Nagpur tribals

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NAGPUR: The Science and Technology Resource Centre (STRC), an autonomous body being set up by Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC) in Gadchiroli will soon become functional. The governing body for the centre has already been formed.

Aimed at identifying the problems of the tribal region and finding their solutions through innovations and research, STRC is then to plan projects which will, besides solving the local problems, also create livelihood opportunities for the locals. Speaking to TOI, chairman RGSTC Anil Kakodkar said this would also enhance the programme of education and development of the state government in the district.

Kakodkar was in the city for the valedictory function of 'Avishkar', an inter-university research convention hosted by Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (Mafsu).

The former chairman of the department of atomic energy said though the pace of researchers sending projects to RGSTC had been a bit slow and the quality low, good projects had begun coming in last few years. "In fact we have funded about 65 major projects so far. Out of the ten technologies developed recently, the industry is ready to take four of them soon," said Kakodkar.

At Pandharpur, RGSTC is running a kind of demonstration centre, linking villages to engineering colleges where products are developed with the help of local craftsmen and artisans so that their art is preserved and the process of manufacturing also gets mechanized. It is also helping solve local problems.

Besides asking the universities to submit the proposals to RGSTC, the commission has now started a scheme in which it gives some funds directly to the universities and leaves it on them to fund those projects which they consider research worthy.

At school level, a scheme is being run in which institutions are being asked to conduct research. But for this initially RGSTC funds them. "We give them funds with a condition that the recurring cost of the project is then borne by the institution. This is necessary for maintaining continuity of the scheme," said Kakodkar. Two such centres have come up at Warnanagar and Pravaranagar.

Talking about the nuclear energy programme Kakodkar said to increase the share of nuclear energy in the country's energy sector the implementation of the Nuclear Energy Programme should be hastened. At present it was not moving at the desired pace.

Technologies ready for transfer:

Solar plant for drying of fruits, vegetables

JUST SIP nutritious dehydrated vegetable drink

Nutritious supplementary food from edible food wastes

Hatchery technology for quality prawn seed

Fluoride free drinking water

Arsenic free drinking water

Biogenic silver nanoparticles

Processing technology for turmeric, onion, garlic and ginger