Science and Technology for Inclusive Social Development in 12th Five Year Plan

Abstract

India has used science and technology for social development right from the beginning of planned development. The first time when television programmes were beamed through satellite, it was for education and not just entertainment. No other country perhaps began the satellite-based transmission in this manner. Likewise, green, white and blue revolution essentially happened through application of science and technology along with appropriate policy and institutional interventions. Having said that, it must be acknowledged that a very large part of Indian population feels excluded from the benefits of S&T applications. This feeling of exclusion has to be overcome if the goal of inclusive development in the Decade of Innovation has to be met. Several strategies recommended in the paper deal with [a] inclusive health [b] biodiversity based knowledge systems and grassroots innovations [c] mining the minds of masses for sourcing and sinking ideas [d] launching CHUNAUTI [Challenges for unfolding and augmenting technological innovations for social development] , [e] engagement with youth [f] handlooms and handicrafts innovation and diffusion, [g] indicators of sustainability science, [h] linking modern S&T with traditional arts and other artisanal goods, [i] sustainable land use and climate change, [j] learning from centenarians, [k] mobilizing employment programmes for mapping the mind and resources and [l] extending core support to S&T institutions for social inclusion and development.