Bijnor:
In a bid to identify “homegrown jugadu scientists” — people who haven’t received formal education but have invented things indigenously — the Nav Pravartan centres under UP science and technology department will hold a special drive in Bijnor district on April 28 and May 8. According to officials, the objective behind the exercise is to find out those whose inventions need wider exposure. All village pradhans will be involved and their help will be sought in identifying such individuals. Once the process of shortlisting is over, these “jugadu scientists” will be honoured at the state and national level, officials said.
Giving details about the plan, district coordinator of Nav Pravartan centre, Sudhansu Vats said, “Out here, a large number of people live in rural areas. Some of them invent things indigenously, but their inventions mostly go unnoticed or are not known outside their respective areas/villages. That is why the science and technology department is providing an opportunity to such people to formally showcase their talent. Such individuals will prepare a project and submit it in exhibitions at district and state levels.”
Vats added that in the first phase of the plan, they will take help from village heads. “Several farmers, artisans, mechanics and craftsmen have devised technologies that can contribute in preserving the environment. Also, we have so many vaids who treat people with natural items. All such people are like scientists for us and they need to be identified and honoured,” he said.
On being asked about the larger government plan, state joint director of Nav Pravartan Kendra, Raadhelaal said, “There are many people living in rural areas who know a lot about the use of herbs and plants as medicine. We will invite them to showcase their talent. If their innovation is found good and is up to the mark, we will promote them and attach them to good institutes and universities. If such innovators want their product, medicine or technology to be patented, we will help them in getting that. Our aim is to hone raw talent.
We will also extend invitations to farmers, artisans and mechanics to come forward and show us what they have created. We will also call school and college students to our exhibitions. A four- member team will look at each project and will decide whether it is innovative or not.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Meerut News / by Harveer Dabas / TNN / April 24th, 2018