The Role of Science for Rural Applications and Developments

The idea of rural development can get understood in an array of ways. But in India, it gets demonstrated as a set of objectives to well-formulated strategies, approaches, or even ideologies. In this digital-centric epoch, Science for rural applications & development has become a crucial planning concern. The reason is that strategies adopted in developing nations remained ineffective to alleviate poverty or inequalities in rural areas.

So, the rural sector requires development in areas like employment, education, and healthcare, besides agricultural and industrial innovations. Given the requirement of transformation in rural hubs, the department of Science and Technology can do wonders. The fact that technology and science are fundamental drivers of development is no denying.

After all, scientific and technological revolutions underpin economic improvements and advances in a multitude of systems. In this manner, it leads to betterment in the standard of life. Besides, it bridges the gap between urban and rural structures in terms of facilities and amenities.

Applications of Science and Technology in Rural Hubs

Science-based organisations across India focus on technological evolutions in rural areas. These evolutions must be sustainable and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Here are examples of significant scientific innovations incorporated in the 21st century’s rural sector.

1 Energy

Energy is a prerequisite for agriculture concerning inputs like fertilisers. Additionally, it’s also useful for water delivery and transportation. Besides bringing rural industrialisation, energy continues to be the firewood. Thus, large-scale afforestation implementations are required for fuel requirements in rural sectors. On this note, biomass generation through tissue culture techniques is of paramount prominence. Non-conventional energy sources are decentralised, non-polluting, and renewable. Some sources of energy that have contributed to decentralisation include:

• Biogas plants
• Solar cookers
• Smokeless stoves
• Solar water pumping
• Solar domestic lighting systems; and more

2 Water

Water is a significant single resource for human life and its survival. Each effort improves the availability of the drinking water system in the rural sectors. But it’s imperative to implement revolutionary scientific tactics to harvest water, recycle it, and conserve. Clean water in rural hubs must get the highest priority. In that direction, remote sensing happens to be a powerful method used for targeting water. But the effort requires:

• Community participation
• Assessment and evaluation of the existing rural water supply
• Technology transfer
• Research on maintenance of the water distribution system
• Rehabilitation of springs and their development to make water drinkable

3 Biotechnology

In the department of Biotechnology, progressions have huge potential for increasing efficiency, employment generation, and boosting productivity. These progressive activities include:

• Bio-fertilisers
• Aquaculture
• Biomass production through the techniques of tissue culture
• Embryo-transfer technology for upgrading herds and cattle; and more

These activities performed in daily rural life are effective on a larger scale.

4 IT or Information Technology

The implementation of information technology in significant sectors turns out to be quite pivotal for bringing major transformations in rural activities. These sectors include:

• Agriculture
• Energy
• Family planning
• Transportation
• Irrigation
• Healthcare
• Employment
• Education

Information based on local resources, expertise, and skills is imperative to formulate efficient decentralised planning.

5 Employment

Employment scopes within rural realms get generated with scientific and technological revolutions in areas like:

• Agricultural practices
• Animal husbandry
• Small scale industries
• Training and skills

It helps in improving rural people’s life with education and generating awareness through scientific approaches.

Takeaway

With the advancement of technology, progress in science is necessary for rural areas. For this reason, emerging low-tier businesses are planning to accomplish goals in bringing promising changes in rural hubs.

Summary:

With the startup efforts in science and technology in the rural hub, it may attempt to solve underlying challenges faced by the rural hub. Here’s your guide to understanding the common applications of science and technology in rural hubs.

Brief History of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Astrophysics is one of the few subjects India has been trying to master for quite some time. With its inception heavily rooted in this sub-continent, it is only fair that this country still lives up to that reputation, helping Science-based organizations across India.

Recently, to help with this, the Government recently formed the new Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).

It is supposed to be a leading institute that is used for the sole purpose of research in the fields of astrophysics, related physics, and astronomy. The origins of the same can date back to at least 200 years before, during 1786. An observatory was built in the same year, near madras which became functional after 1792 at its Nungambakkam facility. Called Madras Observatory, it was later shifted to Kodaikanal in 1899. However, almost a century later, in the year 1971, this observatory became autonomous and known as the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Two years prior to it becoming an autonomous entity, the headquarters got shifted to Bengaluru to its present campus near Koramangala in the year 1975. However, the primary observing facilities are still located at Kavalur, Kodaikanal, Hanle, and Gauribidanaur. Further, in this blog, you will find a small explanation of each of these observing facilities.

The Four Observing Facilities

Looked over by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Indian Government, these observatory centres have proven to be of heavy importance in the last few decades. As the director, Prof. Annapurni Subramanian has made several new developments to these four locations as well.

On seeking information, you will learn that the Kodaikanal observatory is the oldest. It has been there for more than a century now and is deemed to be the main centre of activity when it comes to observational atmospheric and solar physics.

In addition to the Indian STI Observatory, the Bengaluru campus also has an extensive computer centre, library and physics laboratories.

On the other hand, Kavalur holds the Vainu Bappu Observatory, which is also quite old and deemed important in several types of research during the 1960s.

This observatory is mainly used as an optical observatory for the institute, helping with night-time astronomy. This observatory has quite a few telescopes, the main one being a 2.34-metre Vainu Bappu Telescope.

A few miles away, you will find the Gauribidanaur Radio observatory. This one hosts a Decametre Wave Radio Telescope, along with a radio heliograph.

Quite far away from all three, there is the high altitude, newly made Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), locate in Hanle. Hanle is a small village near the south-eastern part of Ladakh. This observatory has made quite a few astronomical readings easier and more achievable for the industry.

It hosts a well-known 2 metre Himalayan Chandra Telescope, which got installed recently in the year 2001. In addition to that, you will also find a seven-unit High Altitude Gamma Ray telescope here.

All such features actively support and help the space programs as well as astronomical development programs. You can learn more on the official India Science Technology and Innovation Portal.

A Guide to ISRO Efforts and India’s Rapidly Growing Space Program Missions

Being one of the leading science-based organizations across India, ISRO has made major contributions to the success of the country’s space mission. This article gives an insight into the ISRO’s activities.

ISRO, the acronym of the Indian Space Research Organisation, is the Indian space research agency. It is one of the largest government-led science-based organizations across India. The primary objective of this organisation is to conduct various space research activities and explore different aspects of space technology. From derived facts, data, and technologies through its research, ISRO aims to apply its important findings to benefit the nation. Established in 1969, the Department of Space controlled the organisation, and the department reports to the Prime Minister of India.

Goals and Missions of ISRO

The organization has been formed primarily to pursuit space research goals. Through its space research and space research technologies, the organization contributes various scientific innovations for national interests. ISRO has three major functional areas.

Those three areas are launching the vehicle fleet, managing satellite programs, and exploring extraterrestrial objects. ISRO applies its space research technology in various national programs and sectors. So, what ISRO actually does? Find a database of national missions of ISRO below.

1. Launching Vehicle Fleet

India started a home-grown space vehicle mission in the 1960s. ISRO developed a few significant space rockets after this decision. However, the golden journey of ISRO started in the year 1980. In this significant year, ISRO launched Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV). Here is the modified vehicle launching fleet of ISRO at a glance:

• SLV or Satellite Launch Vehicle: The first launch of SLV took place in 1979, and two SLVs were launched in the following couple of years by ISRO.
• ASLV: ASLV was a five-stage propellant rocket, and it was invented in the year of 1987.
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): PSLV was a major leap from ISRO from ASLV.
• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): After PSLV, the major launch of ISRO was GSLV. Presently the organisation is working on the GSLVIII project.

2. Satellite Programs

The first satellite of India was Aryabhata, which was launched from Soviet Russia’s soil in 1975. The project is an example of bilateral cooperation in science and space technology between India and Russia.

ISRO’s significant success was the Rohini series of satellite launching. Now, ISRO manages a large number of earth-observing satellites. Some of the significant satellite programs of ISRO are:

• INSAT Series: Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites. ISRO launched these satellites, and the application areas or domains of these satellites are broadcasting, telecommunication, meteorology, etc. In the Asia Pacific region, INSAT is the largest domestic communication system.
• IRS Series: Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites are the major inventions of ISRO after the INSAT series of a satellite. The IRS series satellite provides remote sensing services to the country. Currently, the Indian remote sensing satellite system is one of the largest domestic satellite systems in the world. Space program also encourages many startup efforts in science.

3. Extraterrestrial Exploration

Extraterrestrial Exploration is one of the major functional aspects of ISRO, and the organisation boasts of its success in this regard. The first success came for ISRO in its moon mission named Chandrayaan-1. Right after the moon venture, ISRO’s next target was reaching Mars.

The Mars mission of ISRO was again highly successful at its first attempt. This mission has been named Mangalayaan-1. You can visit India Science Technology and Innovation portal to obtain one step scientific data in India.

Why Is Maintaining The Environment Important for Healthy Living?

It goes without saying that the environment is probably one of the most important reasons why life is possible on earth. It not only helps regulate the temperature here but also allows water to be present in all three states and promotes plant life.

However, lately, things have not been so good for the environment. The increasing population and industrialisation is also increasing, which is only making conditions on earth worse.

Human beings’ unadulterated habits are ruining proper living conditions here, starting from pollution of water to the air. Only in the last year, average temperatures have risen by one centigrade.

Why Should The Governments Be Involved?

Even though people are aware of this and are putting in the effort to change it, the majority of the people are still not taking it seriously. This is when the big powers, like country governments, should step in and take charge. They will be better able to instrument laws and regulations against the exploitation of the environment.

This blog further focuses on how the Indian Government has implemented certain steps and are making the most of each.

What Is India Doing About It?

These last few decades have been very impressive when it comes to the development of environment and science prospects in India. A few new initiatives have been introduced by the State Council of Science Technology & Environment that further helps this cause.

Meghalaya was constituted by the Government there in the year 995, and since then, their mission is to ensure that science and technology have been utilised correctly. Along with that, they also have to ensure that these resources are further helping the overall development of the State.

What Is The Purpose Of The State Council Of India?

Some of its integral functions include identifying, formulating and executing programmes or schemes for their State in a number of topics of science and technology in India. Some of the more detailed functions are written below:

• To implement schemes on both science and technology of the state government, the Government of India as well as the northeastern council.

• They have to formulate ways in which they can make technology innovation in India more popular amongst the youth of today.

• They have to make sure that none of these advances is really impacting nature adversely.

• Take the necessary decisions that are in relevance to the earth, atmosphere and environment sciences to resolve certain problems in the State.

• To assist the establishment or establish infrastructure, organisations, institutions and more required to achieve the said objectives.

These are only some of the main goals of the foundation.

To Sum Up

India has taken a lot of steps in ensuring the holistic growth of the country, including its people. That said, with the State Council of India in place, there are not as many worries for other organisational bodies. If you are interested in knowing more about such initiatives, you can always join the training programs provided by State Council of Science Technology & Environment.

Reasons Why Life Science Research in India Is Flourishing

The Life Science technology innovation in India is winning accolades even in the international arena. The Indian pharma industry is a world leader in bringing generic drugs at affordable costs. India is also taking strides in genome sequencing which leads to a better cure for illnesses. What favours India most is its environment. The environment is highly innovative and cost-effective to pursue biomedical research.

National Centre for Cell Science

Research in medicine is not a new thing in India. Even during the ancient days, people indulge in the vigorous search for medicines to cure deadly diseases. Today, with science and technology reaching new heights with groundbreaking discoveries, research in medicinal studies have only advanced.

Cell biology is the new lateral that is showing fresh possibilities of generating life-saving medicines. Through stem cell research, experts are trying to find medicines for a disease as critical as cancer. Some of the best research institutes in India have already foraged their endeavours. Several dimensions of life science and biological studies are now exploring paths that will lead to a brighter tomorrow.

Here is a brief idea of why cell research is flourishing in India, accelerating the pace of new-age medicine production.

Advancement in Life Sciences & Biotechnology

With the advancement in the field of Life sciences and biotechnology, researchers are getting more ways to deal with the core aspects of cell research. To continue advanced level research on any scientific subject, researchers need the appropriate equipment. This is where technology is playing a critical role.

More accurate and faster working laboratory equipment is available today than ever. Therefore, researchers are making progress in their studies and findings. Hence, critical research procedures are also gaining pace and showing new horizons to the medical science domain.

More Demand for New Medicines

While the market already has several varieties of drugs, the demand for new and more effective medicines never goes down. With time, new diseases and infections are surfacing as well. This indeed has increased the demand for new age medicines, which, in turn, has accelerated the pace of research in the medicinal field.

Researchers invent medicines for humans and animals. Hence, the research process starts with animal cells and human cells, which determine the requirement of medicines. As a result, the national centre for cell science is routing more resources towards cell research and medicinal developments.

Advancement in Biotechnology

Advancement in biotechnology has been another reason for the progress in medicinal research. The government of India is also providing funds for continuing next level research in biological sciences. A nation’s wealth depends on the health quality of its population.

Hence, the Government is allocating more funds for improving the health facilities to manage health issues more effectively. The Department of Biotechnology of the premium research institutes are engaging more researchers in developing life-saving drugs and cell research.

The scientific research domain has made considerable progress in the field of stem cell research. The new-age equipment and laboratory help are helping the researchers gain accurate results faster.

India Science, Technology & Innovation is one of the names that have always emphasized progressive research in biological sciences.

Besides the factors mentioned above, there are plenty of other aspects that contribute directly to the development process of science and technology in India. With more innovations and better medicines, India’s health sector is sure to be one of the best in the world in the coming years.

The Importance of Medical Research in Today’s World

Every bit of innovation and scientific progress relies on research works. Specifically, research and development have always been the most critical cornerstone when it comes to the medical domain. Therefore, medical sciences depend primarily on the R&D sector for its development and progress.

Who can deny the role medical equipment and facilities offers in times of health emergency? From managing pandemics to offering essential drugs, the medical domain ensures the safety of each life.  

Few institutions, backed by Government funding, help in these processes of research and development. Consequently, these organisations also offer scholarship schemes to research aspirants from time to time. These scholarship schemes remain available for several domains of medical studies. The School of International Biodesign is indeed one such organisation.

Here are some reasons why the medical domain researches have always remained and will remain important for the world.

Helps Develop Better Medicines

The world has always witnessed the outbreak of different diseases and pandemics. The nature of diseases also changes over time. The bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other antigens evolve over time. Moreover, the lifestyle of human beings also changes over time.

As a result, the old medicines turn out to the Department Of Biotechnology to be inadequate in defending the human body from several diseases. Therefore, the Department Of Biotechnology in India keeps research on the top of its list. Consequently, new medicines capable of fighting the latest variants of antigens emerge, offering a longer lifespan to the population.

Improved and Advanced Vaccines 

Vaccines have always played an important role in protecting a large number of people from a particular disease. For example, in the post-independence era, plenty of people in India suffered from Polio.

However, today, after the mass level vaccination drive, we see almost next to no cases of Polio. Eventually, India has emerged as a Polio free nation. Undoubtedly, the progress of science and technology in India has a lot to do with this development.

Better Surgical Methods

The development of the medical sector involves progress in surgical methods as well. Due to the widespread research today, the surgical processes have become shorter and painless. As a result, patients can avail themselves of plenty of critical surgeries in India for which earlier they used to go abroad.

Also, the overall expenses associated with any surgical process have gone down. All these and more have only improved the health facilities in India. In short, India’s health sector services have improves due to the technology innovation in India.

Improved Growth

Besides improving the lifespan of individuals, research in the medical domain also contributes to the overall growth of a nation. With better research facilities, more useful drugs and treatment processes evolve. Consequently, the average health of the population improves.

Therefore, the participating workforce becomes more agile and productive. Absenteeism drops, and effective man-hours increase to take the growth graph upward.  

Be it Biotechnology or genetic research, Indian Science, Technology & Innovation conducts thorough research to improve health facilities. Especially in an overpopulated country like India, public health always remains an issue. With research and development, a nation can ensure healthy masses and enjoy some demographic dividends.

What is the Role of Physical Research Laboratory in Development of Astronomy And Space Sciences?

Starting Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in 1947 proved to be a big leap in the field of space research for India. But the credit for starting this premium institution goes to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, whose involvement was instrumental in starting the laboratory.

It was a humble start of a premium laboratory….

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was dreaming of starting a laboratory that can do exceptional research in the field of astrophysics and atmospheric sciences. But he had to start the lab from his home where he researched cosmic rays. In the coming days, the institute achieved many milestones and became a cradle of space sciences in India.

PRL provides academic courses….

The laboratory hosts seminars and delivers lectures on astronomy & space sciences. Also, it offers a doctoral program for students of the science stream. It is a five-year program that students can complete to excel in the field of science. Every year hundreds of students go to the seminars and lectures hosted by the premium laboratory. Students interested in the doctoral program need to appear for a written test and personal interview.

The laboratory gives national level awards….

Being a premium laboratory, PRL gives many national awards to encourage people to do scientific research and invention. It promotes institutes, institutions, and individuals to come forward with their scientific knowledge. The laboratory recognizes inventions and wants others to know about those inventions. Scientists are honored with awards and the laboratory is quite liberal in choosing candidates for awards.

It has achieved many milestones in a short time…

The laboratory achieved its first milestone in the study of cosmic rays and atmospheric sciences in 1950. Since then, it is continuously raising the bar of scientific research. It produces a detailed study on theoretical physics and radiophysics in 1960 and particle physics and solar physics in 1980. And these milestones were big leaps of science and technology in India.

If you want to know more about the laboratory then you should attend seminars and lectures where you will get one-on-one education from eminent scientists and professors. Also, you can get enrolled in the five-year doctoral program of the laboratory.

Students interested in physical sciences can take many lessons from PRL. They can find answers to their questions in seminars and lectures. Eminent scientists can answer their questions and clear their doubts with their knowledge and experience. India has big hopes from this premium institution.

How Does Geoscience Affect the Life and Livelihood of People?

The development of technology led to the formation of the department of earth sciences to study climate, weather, cyclones, and sea life. Powered by the latest technology, the department publishes daily weather reports to help people plan their days.

Let’s understand how technology is helping in the daily life of people

Weather

Technical advancements in weather study have made it possible to make accurate predictions about weather-related changes like freezing temperature, hotter days, rainy season, and dry winds. Also, a geographic area can be divided into different temperature zones for ease of study.

Monsoon

The monsoon is an annual event starting at the long spell of the hot season and lasting for four months of rain. Monsoon activity affects crops and for this reason, farmers and farming companies take interest in monsoon study. With advanced technology innovation in India, it has become possible to make an accurate prediction on the volume of annual rainfall so that the government gets time to appropriate measures to help the farming community.

Cyclones

Cyclones keep visiting coastal areas from time to time and sometimes they hit even the interior areas but thanks to the advanced study on cyclones, that alert person about the buildup of the low-pressure zone on the sea and calculate its intensity so that the people could be aware of its activity. This study is helpful specially to the fishing community that goes out in the sea to catch fish.

Sea exploration

Advance in science and technology in India allow sea exploration up to the sea bed to find reserves of minerals and oil. Also, it is the technology that allows exploration without disturbing the natural setting of the sea environment. The objective of sea exploration is to preserve this natural reserve so that it continues to serve for a long time.

Geo Resources of India

The biggest help of climate study is that it provides ample time to the farming community. With prior information on the volume of rainwater, the farmers can look for other sources to water their plants. Also, life and property can be saved from extreme weather conditions. And it is possible only due to technical development.

Geoscience is the subject that studies everything that comes under the planet. It has nature, climate, sea, and soil. It tells a lot about the climate of a geographic area; farm produce grown in that area and challenges ahead. Also, the technology can be used to solve those challenges and further improve the conditions of the people living in specific geographic areas.