Technology developed by CSIR will be implemented in UT: LG
Avtar Bhat
SRINAGAR, Sept 19: Maintaining that J&K’s future economy depends on ability to adopt new technology, Union Minister in PMO with independent charge of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Science and Technology is the priority sector of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose dynamic leadership there is a visible change for the past many years in this field.
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Inaugurating a one day workshop on Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) initiatives for Science & Technology led development in J&K at SKICC here, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Modi accords high priority to J&K due to which its pristine glory is being restored.
He said Science & Technology is also priority sector of the Prime Minister, and under his dynamic leadership there is a visible change for the past many years in this field,.
While complimenting the organizers of the workshop, Dr Jitendra Singh said that such workshops are the need of the hour as awareness is a must for optimum outcomes as the dependency of several sectors on technology is increasing day-by-day.
He underscored that there is a need to commit ourselves to technological tools as there is no other option to compete without it.
“Indians have had a strong scientific temper for ages and we have talent in abundance and with this India is bound to be the world leader in the technological sector. We ought to be the frontline leader of space technology and India is far ahead of many developed countries in this field,” the Minister said.
While commenting on the technological interventions in J&K, Dr Singh said the region can reap maximum benefits out of the technological interventions in different fields.
He said after the 2019 Constitutional arrangements, Jammu and Kashmir has been able to successfully implement programmes, schemes and other good practices of governance.
The Union Minister said that J&K has become pioneer of the purple (lavender) revolution in India after taking lead in the production of lavender in different parts of the UT.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that CSIR also provided support to J&K during the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to the infrastructure of RT-PCR machine, biosafety and also trained manpower. He added that two Industrial Biotech Parks are being established in J&K while giving details about the ongoing activities of CSIR in J&K.
While addressing the valedictory session of CSIR workshop Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to Jitendra Singh, for bringing together the scientists of the premier institutes of CSIR, and taking initiative for accelerating J&K’s development through the intervention of Science and Technology.
The Lt Governor observed that the impressive deliberations and brainstorming on the implementation of Science and Technology interventions will be a big step towards making J&K a modern, safe, self-reliant and prosperous UT.
“Technology is evolving at an ever-faster pace today. Science and innovation have huge power to meet the new demands in agriculture, environment, industries & even building affordable housing in rural areas. With right interventions, we will lead J&K on the path of development and prosperity”, he added.
The Lt Governor said it is our responsibility to unleash the long-repressed creativity and business drive of the people and that can only happen with enhanced contacts between CSIR scientists and the common masses.
“The technologies developed by CSIR will be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir to maximum possible extent so that works like Purple revolution of Lavender cultivation under the Aroma Mission can be implemented in other areas across the UT”, he added.
Recalling his recent meeting with Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG- CSIR, and Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, the Lt Governor said that he had asked them to organize a brainstorming on identifying the technologies available with CSIR for their implementation in J&K.
The Lt Governor urged the experts to look at the challenges specific to Jammu & Kashmir in the areas like agriculture, infrastructure, waste management, industrial development, ecology conservation, urban planning, etc due to its unique geo-climatic conditions.
While quoting former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Sinha said that those associated with science and technology should work closely with the craftsmen, artisans of the lower level and help them achieve the full potential of their natural creative skills.
He also quoted Modi saying that science and technology should help address the issues of the poorest.
He said “if we get the scientific and technological support in these sectors, we will be successful in taking J&K in the direction of rapid development, improving common man’s life” .
On the occasion, Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande delivered a presentation on science & technology led developmental initiatives of J&K.
Chief Secretary J&K, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta; Director CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Principal Secretary Science & Technology, J&K, Alok Kumar also spoke on the occasion while as Vice-Chancellors of J&K Universities, senior scientists, professors among others were in attendance during the workshop.
Later while interacting with representatives of Trade, Commerce, Industry, Tourism, Hotels, Houseboats, Shikaras, Transport and other stakeholders at SKICC here, today Dr Jitendra Singh said that Modi himself takes keen interest in the matters and issues related to J&K and monitors every project himself as the region is close to his heart.
Responding to the issues, problems and grievances of the representatives of different trade bodies, Dr Jitendra Singh assured them that all the genuine issues would be addressed on priority basis.
“Among your issues, there are numerous things which are doable and I assure you that all those issues would be resolved as soon as possible,” Dr Singh said.
He added that the present Government led by Modi is prompt and responsive which are the hallmarks and an important parameter of a responsible Government.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that several steps have been taken to promote Jammu and Kashmir on the tourism front and in this regard, J&K Film Policy has been introduced to attract filmmakers which will help boost the tourism of the Union Territory. Besides, he said that Kashmir will be connected to the rest of India by rail next year which will be a game-changer for the region’s tourism sector as well as for generating employment.
Representatives of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industries, FCIK, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Restaurants & Hajj and Umrah Association, Artisans Rehabilitation Forum, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, J&K Hotels and Restaurants Association, Houseboat Owners Association, Hoteliers Club among others met Dr Singh. The representatives put forth issues related to their sectors before the Minister and sought redressal of the same.
Earlier, the Minister visited Supervisory Control And Data Audit (SCADA) Data Center at Bemina to review the functioning of the center.
The Minister was briefed about the SCADA Center and its features and progress of works under the project in twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu.
On the occasion, the Minister was given a live demonstration of the different feeders, exhibition locater etc wherein he enquired about the network and security of the system. He was informed that SCADA has the highest level of security in place and reduces lot of outages.
He said that the twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu are among 59 Indian cities selected for this state-of-the-art power supply and fault redressal facility.
“The facility is cost-effective, saves time, minimises public inconvenience, saves human resources and reduces human interface in the power sector,” Dr Jitendra Singh said.
The Minister also inspected the e-Costumer Care Center which functions round-the-clock to cater to people’s complaints related to the power system. He also interacted with the staff of the Centre and enquired about the complaints and the duration of disposal of such complaints.
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