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MEGA BAMBOO PRODUCT MISSION ON THE ANVIL
New Delhi ~ July 12, 2001
A mega Bamboo product mission is on the anvil. The mission will be the hallmark of "Technology Day 2001. As usual it will involve communities
industries, artisans, NGOs, Academia, laboratories, business houses and others. This information was revealed by the Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi here yesterday while making a special address at a function organised to celebrate "Technology Day - 2001".
Dr. Joshi said that this is one of the areas for a mission-mode intervention which has enormous socio-economic implications. Bamboo is an excellent replacement for wood and harder than red oak. It is one of the fastest growing woody plants on the earth with a very short growth cycle. A large number of poor people including those from the tribal areas depend on bamboo for a variety of reasons. But the key issue is to make substantial value addition and create a sustained market base. Only then it will become a major wealth producer and help the masses Dr. Joshi remarked. The Department of Science and Technology will soon be launching this mission. Another area which is being given a further boost is the on-going Advanced Composites Mission. This has a tremendous potential with a variety of applications including shelter. Making a special mention of this
Dr. Joshi announced that another large consignment of 200 shelters is on its way to Bhuj for the earthquake victims. These semi-permanent structures made out of natural fibre composites can easily be assembled in a short time. These have been acknowledged by the people in Bhuj as probably the most durable the most sensitive and the most visible contribution made by a Central Institution in a rehabilitation effort
Dr. Joshi said. To enable Science and Technology to play a meaningful role in building a non-exploitative sustainable society we need action at the level of public policies , consciousness creation, ethical regulation and innovative management. In fact we require a new architecture of governance which is ever more democratic and more decentralized the Minister said. The challenge before the scientific community is to prepare the road map for a future with a difference Technology with a human face he averred.
Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala who delivered the Technology Day lecture on "Making the Telecom and IT Revolution Work for Us" said it is imperative that India acquires at least 200 million telephone and internet connections at the earliest. Getting there is important but equally important is the process of getting there as this presents us with an opportunity to transform our research and development as well as manufacturing and service industries
he said.
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