Application of Science & Technology & Need of Indigenisation

Application of Science & Technology in Social & Economic Development

In modern times, without science and technology noting seems possible. The development word seems incomplete without S&T. Here, we are discussing important role of S&T in socio-economic development.

Entrepreneurship & Employment

• Self-employment opportunities through S&T
• S&T entrepreneurship development scheme in several backward districts.
• Government set up technology park for women in several states
• Though, with advent of technology use of manpower in factories is decreasing.
• Non-traditional source of employment generation like aquaculture, horitculture, village industries, powerloom etc.

Agriculture

• Low cost technology at farm, modern irrigation schemes
• Better fertilizers, seeds and bio-pesticides
• Training of agricultural labour
• Appropriate use of technology in sectors like horticulture and sericulture
• Agro-climate mapping and rain forecast
• Preservation and storage of agri-products
• Efficiency in transport, marketing and price discovery e.g. e-chopal by ITC

Ecosystem and Better living

1. Low cost house and sanitation
2. water management and watershed development
3. tech for eco-restoration and sustainable use of resources.

Healthcare

• e-medicine
• Rural healthcare – universal immunisation, vaccination, low cost treatment and therapies
• Personalised medicine

Resource Mapping and Mobilisation

• National Resource Data Management System has been developed for collection, dissemination and utilisation of data on natural resources.
• Data collection enabled by S&T help in better planning of resources
• Conservation of local resources and effective management

Other Applications

• Department of Space – remote sensing to disaster management, metefology to broadcasting, satellite data for planning
• Department of Atomic Energy – Power Generation and various nuclear application
• Department of Biotechnology – high yielding crops, healthcare, bio-agri, pollution management etc.

Thus, S&T played important role in socio-economic development of the country.

Indigenisation of Technology

• The need of indigenisation of technology was felt in 1983 at Indian Science Congress.
• Technology Develooment Board was formed in 1996 to accelerate development of indigenous technology.

Nuclear Technology

• Formulated own nuclear programme and cultivated self-reliance in reactor technology as well as in associated fuel cycle.
• Nuclear power generation and warheads
• Nuclear waste management

Space Technology

• Department of Spance and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Development in Satellite Programme – Remote sensing and communication satellites
• Development in Launch vehicle Programme – PSLV & GSLV
• Mission to Moon and Mars – Chandrayaan & Mangalayaan
• Initial success in Space capsule recovery experiments for manned mission.

Defense Technology

• Development of ballistic, anti-ballistic and cruise missiles
• Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) – Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag
• Brahmos – Supersonic Cruise Missile, jointly developed by Indian and Russia
• Developments at DRDO

Biotechnology

• Developments in healthcare, agriculture, industries and environment
• Golden Rice for balanced diet
• GM crops like BT-Brinjal, Cotton etc.
• Contribution of CDCRI

Information Technology

• Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DEITY) & Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) was formed for e-development.
• C-DAC established National Supercomputing Facility in Pune with Param 10000
• Super Computer SAGA 220 developed by ISRO with speed of 220 TFlops.
• E-governance and ICT for digital divide.

The Way Ahead

• Carefully crafted indigenisation policy with more scope of R&D
• Effective transfer of technology

Transfer of Technology

• R&D needs to be given precedence with technology transfer preferences in selective disciplines
• Acquisition process needs to be speeded up through collegiate decision making
• Establishing technology transfer paradigms and policy directive to Defence PSUs.
• Military Industrial Commission (MIC) needs to be empowered to negotiate with foreign governments for effective transfer of technology