From Sudip Sharma Chowdhury
GUWAHATI :Technology and Core Competence of North East’s resources and diversity to propel ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ for well-being of Divyangss experts opined in a Webinar 150 years of Celebrating Mahatma- Propelling AtmaNirbhar Bharat for socio-economic development of Divyangs organised by Press Information Bureau, Guwahati on the topic today. Experts from Industry, Government sector along with academicians deliberated and discussed about the potential from multi-sectoral and policy perspective. Mentioning about Central Government initiative with examples of North East and its challenges, Padma Shri Uddhab Kumar Bharali said that 150th years of Celebration of Mahatma Gandhi adds extra responsibility on all citizens of India to work for holistic development of all sections of society.
Bharali who is from Lakhimpur district of Assam said that technology and creativity plays a pivot role in socio-economic development of Divyangs. Creative utilisation of technology such as Machines to feed the disabled, slippers for knees, cleaners, and de-weeders for amputees, variety of peeler machines to peel betel nut, garlic, jatropha, coconut and safed musli are ways to empower the Divyangs so that they are AtmaNirbhar in their working. He said that ‘First-Mover Advantage of Technology’ for North East is telling story of Empowerment for Divyangs.
In the discussion, Padma Shri Naresh Chander Lal said that Central Government Initiatives are encouraging socio-economic development of Divyangs. He emphasised on the quintessential aspect of effort for encouraging entrepreneurship and knowledge among Divyangjan community, generating awareness among society about potentialities of Divyangs and providing marketing opportunity to entrepreneurs.
He said Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs are playing a vital role in development of the country. Prof. (Dr.) Kishor Goswami, Professor of Economics, Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kharagpur delved into the utilisation of Technology for the development and well-being of Divyangs. He said that technology has to be low cost and cost effective for the maximum utility of the technology. Appreciating the efforts in the endeavours of the Central Government, Prof Goswami said that Artificial Intelligence and latest technology utilisation could be Game Changer for economic and social development of Divyangs.
He elaborated that devices for Divyangs has to be dovetailed for local environment and has to be eco-friendly and should be easy accessible to the common people. With optimism, Shri Taranjit Singh, MD JIS Group and Shri Amit Srivastav, Director JIS Group said that huge potential are there in Central Government programmes Start-ups and Stand up India in the sector. The Webinar has enthusiastic participation of leading entrepreneurs of Assam and North East Region as they said that tremendous opportunities are there for the business and Market related to entrepreneurship in this sector and Central Government initiatives are a WIN-WIN scenario for value addition in this business ecosystem. Senior officers of PIB Kohima, Assistant Director, Shri Sonikumar were present in webinar. Shri Pallav Chakravorty, Deputy Director, PIB welcomed the experts as the webinar delved into details on the various aspects of the topic such as entreprenurship, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the essential awareness about Technology related to devices for Divyangs and how it is making a difference in the socio-economic development of Divyangs.
The entire webinar was planned and coordinated by Shri Samrat Bandyopadhyay, Joint Director (M & C), PIB, Guwahati. Along with students, eminent journalists and other government senior officials from Doordarshan Guwahati, Regional Outreach Bureau, Guwahati, All India Radio Guwahati were also present on the occasion.
