IITs, others to develop technologies for rural development

New Delhi: A network of IITs and other institutes will evolve appropriate technologies for rural development under the 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan' scheme, it was announced Thursday.

The venture is coordinated by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi and will be launched as a "network of IITs and other professional and academic institutes to evolve appropriate technologies converging for rural development, with focus on water management, organic farming, renewable energy, frugal technology, infrastructure, rural livelihood and employment".

It will be launched this year.

"Whatever research is taking place should eventually be converted into socially useful capital and in that connect, the 'abhiyan' was launched," R.P.Sisodia, joint secretary, higher education said at a press conference to highlight the human resource development ministry's initiatives here.

A three-day workshop on the issue was held at the IIT here from Sep 7.

Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani said: "Efforts are being made to scale it up nationally."