Science-Society-Setu for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (S³4ANB)

To fulfill the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, solution-centric Science & Technology (S&T) interventions are essential with the bottom-up approach for identifying the problems that lack resolution and top-down approach for solutions on issues identified to develop and promote locally-driven enterprises & services for a better quality of life.  There exist a significant gap between S&T absorption capacity of the community, technological knowledge updating of Voluntary Organisations and orientation of Knowledge Organisations towards local problem-solving.

In this context, Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of Department of Science & Technology (DST) – with its extensive experience to work with Knowledge Organisations and field-based S&T Voluntary Organizations – envisages bridging the above gap by creating a virtual platform Science-Society-Setu for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (S³4ANB).  The initiative intends to reach the unreached towards effective alignment of Technology, Knowledge, Skills and Resources at local level leading to strengthening the ‘Social Infrastructure’ and ‘Technology Driven System’ pillars of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat to reform a systemic, planned, integrated, inter-connected and futuristic process through technological interference and ease of doing business at a local level to achieve self-reliance.

The initiative is an online bidirectional interaction platform to deliberate on the systemic gaps for catalyzing the cross-bridge 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 grassroot requirements. Emanated ideas may be considered  subsequently for future support in project mode by Government of India.

Objectives:

• Advancing the S&T capacity of NGOs/CBOs and Communities
• Orienting the Knowledge Organisations to Socially required and relevant R&D with innovation and fostering linkages with S&T NGOs to deliver appropriate & affordable technologies with scale.
• Identifying new ideas and partners for evolving SEED schemes directed towards indigenous technologies and effective delivery mechanism.
• Creating Grassroots Innovation Centres and workable business models for Socio-economic Regrowth in the rural landscape.

Operational Mechanism:

The virtual interaction series S³4ANB would be launched, implemented and managed using India Science, Technology and Innovation (ISTI) Web Portal of Vigyan Prasar for better outreach and effective communication through electronic & digital media. ISTI portal will also be used for curating the ideas emanating out of the webinars for further forward-chaining in terms of sustainable technologies and models of delivery with hand-holding.

The initiative is being jointly Organised 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).

Broad Sectors:

• Agriculture and allied sector: Discussion related to Agriculture production and innovation, post-harvest & allied sectors – covering entire value chain adding value at the source itself through organised SHGs, FPOs and so on.
• MSME & Economic Sector: Discussion on the promotion of mini and micro-entrepreneurship ecosystem and their development related to locally productive and globally connected models, E-marketing linkages, Renewable Energy, Integration of farm and non-farm activities for setting up social enterprises, technology readiness, scaling-up and effective delivery.
• Social Infrastructure: Discussion on social infrastructure projects, technology-driven systems for Education, equity and public healthcare, upgradation of grassroot innovations, industrial information system and infrastructure for connectivity, interventions on the mental health of people (especially the elderly) and for most vulnerable sections of society, creating ecology and environment inclusive opportunities at the local level based on local production system & natural resources.
• Cross-sectoral Areas: Discussion about artisan revival programs, skills development programs to farmers including unemployed youth, Fab labs (science labs) for school children and Knowledge institutions, S&T capacity building –futuristic and disruptive technologies, engagement of  S&T capable NGOs/CBOs for building capacities of migrant workers, small farmers, street vendors and the poor for Self-sufficient villages.

Expected Outcome:

Each Web Clinic, with its three aspects (social, environmental and economic well-being), aims to coordinate various stakeholders connected to the initiative, overseeing societal needs and addressing gaps in the system. The clinics eventually would encourage cross-bridge collaborations in addressing the gaps in the system to suggest possible roadmap and robust process mechanism. The initiative is aimed at facilitating the development and delivery of innovative and indigenous technologies for economic growth and sustainable development towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat with Vocal for Local approach. Thus, nurturing the internal strength of the country through the creation of appropriate skills and harness the benefits of local resources.

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