DST to set up 15 more science technology and innovation hubs

A special programme of DST launched for ‘Accelerated Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups’. 

To commemorate ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ to be observed on November 15, Union Ministers Arjun Munda and Jitendra Singh addressed the National Conclave on Science and Technology for Empowerment of Tribal Community at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. 

Munda said the Government of India under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special attention to integrated development of tribal people while keeping their identities alive.  Tribals must be included in the country’s journey of growth towards 2047 when India will achieve 100 years of Independence. It is indeed appreciable that the Department of Science and Technology has taken steps in this direction by implementing projects involving innovations for development of tribals.” 

10 science technology and innovation hubs for STs 

Jitendra Singh said that the DST had so far established 10 exclusive “Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs” in different parts of the country for holistic development of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. Fifteen more such hubs will be established in the next one year for inclusive socio-economic development through creation of sustainable livelihoods for the ST population in tune to their growing aspirations.  

A special programme of the DST was launched for “Accelerated Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” as a part of “Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav”. He said about 100 new projects were supported during the last three years in diverse technology areas and these projects are expected to benefit more than 50,000 ST population in various regions of the country.  

INR 50-cr R&D project for sickle cell disease cure supported by DST 

Singh said the DST had also supported a INR 50 crore R&D project to develop a permanent cure for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) with extensive benefits of improving the standard of life of such patients using gene editing technologies. 

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