Zabeer Ahmed
In today’s time, the science and technology have become so important that these influence almost every aspect of our daily life, including food, energy, medicine, environment, transportation, communication, leisure activities and what not. With the technological revolutions of the 21st century, science and technology have been, in recent past, emerging from entirely new sectors, based on micro-processors, tele-communications, bio-technology and nano-technology thus became a boon for the socio-economic development worldwide covering the areas of healthcare, agriculture, process industry, information technology or the service sector.
In Indian S&T scenario, it is pertinent to record that India’s scientific policy resolution of 1958 resolved to “foster, promote and sustain” the “cultivation of science and scientific research in all its aspects”, the technology was then destined to flow from the countries established science infrastructure. The technology policy statement of 1983 further emphasised the need to attain technology competence and self-reliance. Thereafter, the Indian Science and Technology Policy of 2003 brought science and technology together and emphasized the need for investment in research & development. It also called for integrating programmes of socio-economic sectors with the national R&D system to address national problems as well as creating a national innovation system. That is why India has declared 2010-20 as the “Decade of Innovation”. The Government has stressed the need to enunciate a policy to synergize science, technology and innovation and has also established the National Innovation Council. The Science and Technology policy 2013 is in furtherance of these pronouncements.
In a boost for science and technology in India, the Union Cabinet has constituted a Technology Group which will have a Technology Officer in every ministry and government department as its member. This 12-members Technology Group headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, would be responsible for examining the technologies valuable for society and the economy. Indeed the formation of a technology group was a strategic move of Govt. as it will act as overseer for the country’s scientific, technological and innovative growth and will advise the govt. most efficiently about the development, procurement and deployment of technologies. With such a system in place, India can definitely aspire for sustainable and inclusive S&T growth, because it has immense potential to emerge as key global player in view of the numerous competitive advantages in terms of scientific research & development facilities, knowledge and skill base, abundant bio-resources, supportive government policies, cost effectiveness and huge market as well. To keep pace with trajectory of S&T development, India improved its rank on the Global Innovation Index from 81st position in 2015, 66th in 2016 and further to 60th in 2017. In term of contribution in economy, according to a report, the engineering R&D and product development market in India is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.55 per cent to reach US$ 45 billion by 2020 from US$ 28 billion in 2018.
Likewise, if the prospects of science, technology and innovation in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory are visualised, J&K is uniquely positioned to harness its potential because of its rich biodiversity, conducive climate and the peculiar geographical location. The J&K region besides, having a strong base of natural resources which can be explored for medicines, aroma, nutraceuticals and other commercial products , has a huge talent pool which can surely play a defining role in achieving the development goals. There are about 14 Universities and reputed research institutions, more than 160 colleges both govt & private, many professional colleges which have contributed significantly towards the pursuit of development of science & technology in addition to the academics and professional trainings. J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council, the department of govt. created in 1986 with the objectives to harness the potential of science & technology as instrument of socio-economic change in such a way that efforts in science & technology should not only be restricted to scientific laboratories and academic institutions but also reach to the grass root level in the society, thus making science, technology and innovation a part of the everyday life.
The J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council (J&K ST&IC) has been running various S&T programmes within its mandate and vision. To make mention of few are like it conducts children science congress, extension lectures, science talent promotion tests, brings publications for promotion and visibility of science, instituted awards and fellowships to the scientists and researchers besides funding the research projects for the development of scientific and technological innovation and the overall development. Worthwhile to mention that the S&T Council has also set up Genetic Counselling and Research Centres at University of Jammu and SKIMS, Srinagar for detection and counselling of patients suffering from various genetic disorders. Further, realizing the potential of region for attracting investments in biotechnology related industries, on recommendation of Scientific Advisory Committee to the then Chief Minister in 2012, the J&K Govt. conceptualized the project of setting up the two industrial biotech parks (IBTPs), one at Ghatti, Kathua of Jammu province and other at Handwara, Kupwara in Kashmir on which the work has already been started in January last year. The foundation stone of Biotech Park, Ghatti, Kathua was laid by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), DoNER and Minister of State for PMO; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; DoAE and Department of Space and it is due to personal monitoring of this work by Dr. Jitendra Singh that about 30% of work of Biotech Park, Ghatti, Kathua has been completed and it is expected that the whole facility would be taken over by September, this year. Once the Industrial Biotech Parks become operational, these would be a robust platform for industrialists, outside investors, researchers, entrepreneurs and starts up companies to work together in the area of agriculture biotechnology, healthcare, nutraceuticals, botanicals, Food & process industries. New vistas would be opened for technologies solutions, demonstration and the jobs opportunities for educated youths who are masters/ doctorate in science streams or who wish to become bio-entrepreneurs.
In my opinion, in order to work ahead for achieving the status of self reliant J&K, there are many challenges in the area of S&T education and research infrastructure which can be achieved by implementing various schemes of Govt. of India like one of setting up of Industrial Biotech Parks. At the same time, once the knowledge resource base and human capital become ready, there are ample number of opportunities which have direct linkage with the local economy and employability. Such potential areas in which the scientific community can work for economic betterment and employment generation to realize the aspirations of the region are agricultural innovation, health care & medical profiling of population, preservation of biodiversity, harnessing of hydro electrical potential, food security, accurate weather prediction and maintenance of ecology and environment which have a bearing on the regional development.
It may not be out of place to make a brief mention about the work of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, a premiere research institution, under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India located in Jammu. This organisation has made a huge impact of contribution of more than Rs. 4000 Crores to Indian economy by conducting the research on various crops like Mint, Hops, Pyrethrum, Artemisia annua, Lavender and Rose. In order to harness the potential of natural resources of J&K for the prosperity farmers, CSIR-IIIM has undertaken various mega research projects like J&K Aroma Arogya Gram (JAAG), Aroma Mission and K-5000. Out of 101387 square Km total land of erstwhile J&K state, only 27632 square Km is being utilized and rest of 73754 square Km is wasteland. Through these projects, the institute brought 5% of wasteland under medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation which after maximum utilization is estimated to generate upto Rs. 5000 Crore economy for J&K. This indicates that the region is bestowed with abundant natural resources of very value which if are tapped innovatively can have an impact on the socio-economic development.
Keeping in mind the unique position of J&K Union Territory in terms of climate, natural resources and human capital on one side and the problems of water, pollution, healthcare, adulteration in eatables, unemployment, confronting the people of J&K on the other side, the need of hour is to evolve the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy for J&K to undertake research in the areas which are directly linked with the socio-economic progress and those related to the problems faced by the people here.
This is a challenge for all concerned departments, institutions, scientists, scholars and other researchers to work in coordination to offer time tested solutions backed by newer innovations, technologies and inventions to render the support to the advancement of the welfare goals of governance.
(The author is Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu.)
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