For the realization of the Hon PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we need to develop Science & Technology (S&T) interventions that identify the problems that lack resolution and provide suitable solutions. We need to develop & promote locally-driven enterprises & services that resolve to work for a better quality of life.

For the same, the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED), Division of Department of Science & Technology (DST) are working towards bridging the above gap by creating a virtual platform Science-Society-Setu for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (S34ANB).

This initiative intends to align Technology, Knowledge, Skills and Resources at local levels to strengthen the pillars of ‘Social Infrastructure’ and ‘Technology Driven System’. It aims to reform a systemic, planned, integrated, inter-connected & futuristic process through technological interference and ease of doing business at a local level to achieve self-reliance.

The initiative is an online platform for collaborations between the solution seekers and solution providers. The web clinics will highlight emerging technologies and their utilities to augment the technological self-sufficiency for grass-root requirements. The Web Clinic is inclined towards identifying new ideas and partners for evolving SEED schemes directed towards indigenous technologies and effective delivery mechanism.

During each session, the panel of experts would provide a feasibility report on (i) possible forward linkages between NGOs/CBOs & knowledge institutions and (ii) guidelines to way-forward. The resulting ideas and recommendations will be supported through SEED Division of DST for participatory action research projects through its ongoing schemes/programs or in collaboration with other relevant divisions and funding agencies.

The virtual interaction series Science-Society-Setu for Aatmanirbhar Bharat is being launched, implemented and managed using India Science, Technology and Innovation (ISTI) Web Portal of Vigyan Prasar.

The initiative is being jointly organized by DST, in collaboration with the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Vigyan Prasar, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations (AGNIi), World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF-India), and Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO).

The Web Clinic will primarily focus on five sectors of Aatmanirbhar Bharat namely:

● Agriculture and allied sector
● MSME
● Economic Sector
● Social Infrastructure
● Cross-sectoral Areas

To contribute to the discussion and participate in the Web Clinic, get registered http://indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/registration

Individual viewpoints & inputs are invited on the following questions through this Discussion forum. Please mention Question Numbers while discussing.

Q1. How the indigenous/existing agricultural technologies are viable or can be made viable by harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation for responsible and consumable agriculture production?

Q2. How the emerging technologies in the agriculture and allied sectors can augment the technological self-sufficiency for grass-root requirements?

Q3. The rationale of the initiative is to reach out to the man sitting in the last strata. Please share your ideas about advancing the Science & Technology capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs).

Q4. What are the social and economic challenges and constraints faced in adopting existing or indigenous technologies?