Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 8: Earlier this year, consequent to discussions between Governor N.N. Vohra and Dr. R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, the Governor had addressed all the Vice Chancellors in the State to moot suitable proposals which could be taken up for implementation with the support of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) which is guided and advised by the collegium of all the IITs in India and the Institute of Science, Bangalore, functioning under the overall care of Dr. Chidambaram.
The Universities of Jammu, Kashmir, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Kashmir, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and several NGOs responded and proposed 22 projects for implementation under the aegis of RuTAG. After discussion between the Governor and Dr Chidambaram, all these proposals were discussed in a 2-day meeting held on 3-4 December, 2014, hosted by University of Jammu. On behalf of RuTAG the meeting was attended by Prof S.K. Saha of IIT Delhi, Prof S.P. Kimothi, ADG, ICAR; Dr S. Chatterjee, Scientific Consultant and Dr Ketaki Bapat, both of whom represented the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India. The others who attended the meeting included Prof R.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof Khurshid Andrabi, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof. Tej Pratap, Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Kashmir, Prof I.A. Hamal, Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Dr M.K. Bhandari, CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Principal Secretary to Governor, Shri R.K. Gupta, among others.
The recommendations emerging from the aforesaid 2-day consultations were discussed in a two hour meeting at the Raj Bhavan here today morning. Besides discussions on the proposals and decisions regarding the further course of action Dr R. Chidambaram spoke on "The Path to a Knowledge Driven Economy - Advanced Technology in Rural Development". In his presentation, Dr Chidambaram highlighted the objectives of RuTAG, which had been conceptualised by a team under his guidance, and emphasised the high importance of launching innovative projects and promoting the application of science and technology for the resolution of problems faced in the day to day living and working lives of the rural communities residing in the various parts of J&K.
Governor N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of six Universities in the State, reiterated the importance of early establishing collaborative linkages not only among the institutions of higher learning and research within the State but also with academic and research bodies all over the country and abroad. He noted that such collaborative arrangements and networking arrangements will provide immensely beneficial opportunities for enhancing research and innovative solutions of varied problems. The Governor observed that an e-class room shall soon be set up by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Dr Chidambaram urged the Universities in J&K to link up with the Centres of Excellence in Nano Electronics and with Indian Nano Electronics User Programme and for early steps being taken to avail the enormous benefits available from the National Knowledge Network. |
