RURAL TECHNOLOGY ACTION GROUP (RUTAG) CENTRE-IIT ROPAR

Under the aegis of Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India

Vision

The vision of RuTAG Centre IIT Ropar is to become an innovative rural technology development group comprising academicians, scientists, personnel from NGOs, Governmental agencies and technical institutes, traditional craftsmen and artisans, farmers and social entrepreneurs with a passion to serve the rural people.

Mission

To develop state-of-the-art science & technology resources, equipments, human resources and research facilities to innovate rural technologies by utilising the existing and creative know-how with the involvement of people from rural areas and NGOs

Objectives

  • To identify the problems and needs of the rural people by the way of direct surveys and interaction with NGOs working for rural people
  • To constitute a working group of innovators comprising academicians, scientists, personnel from NGOs, Governmental agencies and technical institutes, traditional craftsmen and artisans, farmers and social entrepreneurs
  • To develop rural technologies to be used for various rural tasks, which can raise the life standard of the rural people
  • To study the existing traditional technology available with the villagers and refine it further for use at higher scale
  • To educate the rural people on rural technologies/skills development by way of conducting workshops, short term courses and formal/non-formal interactions from time-to-time
  • To develop the spirit of entrepreneurship within the rural people so that some of them can use their know-how and resources for setting-up small scale self-sustaining industries
  • To spread awareness towards making the planet greener and devising techniques to replace the non-green technology by greener and environmental friendly techniques
  • To involve and inspire the student fraternity to work for rural welfare

ORGANIZATION OF THE RuTAG CENTRE

The proposed activities of the RuTAG centre are carried out as a team work. The team may include academicians, scientists, personnel from NGOs, Governmental agencies and technical institutes, traditional craftsmen and artisans, farmers and social entrepreneurs. The major inputs are taken from the end users i.e. villagers and NGOs. This information is vital in order to define the problem and identify technology gaps. In addition, NGOs are expected to play an instrumental role during phases such as design and manufacturing, conduct of workshops/skill development programs. The centre can share some part of the grant with some reliable NGOs. The know-how available with traditional craftsmen and artisans, farmers and social entrepreneurs can also be important, which can form a basis for newer innovations for rural folks. Even their skill shall be explored to manufacture the products at local level. The state governmental offices such as State Councils for Science and Technology (Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh) can also be contacted for cooperation to achieve the objectives of the centre. The faculty of the institute and other technical institutions play major role as and when required on the basis of the requirements of the specific tasks. Besides, some consultants/ technical assistants may also be hired as and when needed. The students of the institute also develop and fabricate some products for the rural people