IIT Guwahati hosts National Conclave on ‘Science & Technology Empowerment of Tribal Community’
Nov 11, 2022Guwahati, November 11: On the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (National Tribal Day), Indian institute of Technology Guwahati is hosting a two-day National Conclave on ‘Science & Technology Empowerment of Tribal Community’ on November 11-12. The conclave is being organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Govt. of India, in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, North-East Centre for Technology, Application and Reach (NECTAR), Shillong, Assam Science & Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Guwahati, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi.
The inaugural event of the conclave was graced by the esteemed presence of Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, as the Chief Guest, and Union Minister of State of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh virtually presided over the inaugural ceremony. Speaking during Chief Guest address, Arjun Munda, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, said, “It is the need of the hour to incorporate scientific and technological interventions for the empowerment of the tribal community. Now with the fourth industrial revolution, emergence of technologies like Internet of Things, Science and Technology has become a valuable part of our lives. I extend my wishes to the Dept. of Science and Technology for continuously emphasizing on the innovative solutions for social problems of our nation.
The development of tribal communities by Science, Technology and innovation, promoting scientific talent and uplifting their socio-economic status. DST is spearheading around 75 such science, technology and innovation hubs in different parts of the country which are directly benefiting the students from the tribal communities; providing Techno interventions in agriculture, resource management, micro enterprises development among others. I hope this National Conclave being hosted by IIT Guwahati will build a strong foundation for further development of the Tribal Communities through Science and Technology.” The two-day event will showcase various initiatives of DST in empowerment of Tribal Communities through Science, Technology and Innovation whilst deliberating on the challenges and opportunities for empowering their lives and livelihoods.
Speaking during the event, Union Minister of State of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said, “This is the first time in the country, on such a large scale, the contribution of DST for empowerment of tribal communities in different walks of their life and livelihoods is being showcased. I am happy to declare that DST is launching a special programme for “Accelerated Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribals Groups” as a part of Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav. While Science is universal, technology must be local for providing solutions relevant to local needs and conditions. DST has developed, deployed and disseminated many locally relevant, proven technologies to solve the problems of economically weaker Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, especially in rural areas through application of Science and Technology.”
The conclave will be attended by different stakeholders from Knowledge Organizations, Research & Development Labs, Civil Society, and by Social Entrepreneurs, Grassroots Innovators, Beneficiaries and change makers from Tribal Community. The main highlight of the conclave will be - Roundtable discussion by Vice Chancellors of Tribal Universities, Technical Sessions, Change makers Conclave and Exhibitions. Speaking during the inaugural session, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “I am happy to note, the theme of this National Conclave aligns with IIT Guwahati’s mission to provide technological solutions for challenges faced by a diverse population of the North East region. As a part of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s vision for Jai Jawan, Jai Anusandhan, Jai Vigyan, we are working towards making social impact by providing developmental solutions in niche areas to enhance the life quality at all levels.”
Further Prof. Sitharam, said, “IIT Guwahati is making tremendous efforts to reach out to every corner of the North East region with major interventions related to education, technology development, and entrepreneurship, among others. As a part of Azadi ka Mahotsav, we believe that inclusive growth of the entire population of the country will help us in moving forward and move faster.” Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma will be the Chief Guest of the Valedictory ceremony at IIT Guwahati on November 12. The event will also be attended by Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Education, Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward Classes, and Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Information Technology, Govt. of Assam. The National Conclave on ‘Science & Technology Empowerment of Tribal Community’ conclave will bring out strategies and recommendations for strengthening the institutional and Human Capacity (both at community and individual level) for comprehensive development of Tribal Communities through Science and Technology.
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