Principal Scientific Adviser Urges Youth to Drive Rural Development at Sri Venkateswara University Convocation
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood addressed graduates at Sri Venkateswara University's simultaneous convocations in Tirupati, calling on educated youth to apply their knowledge to rural development and underserved communities. Sood highlighted the Rural Technology Action Group's success in deploying field-tested technologies from IITs, including Sabjikothi, a solar-powered storage unit that reduces post-harvest losses by 40% for farmers. The event also saw honorary doctorates conferred on Sood, Indian National Science Academy President Shekhar C. Mande, and Bharat Biotech Executive Chairman Krishna M. Ella.
At Sri Venkateswara University's 63rd through 68th annual convocations held simultaneously in Tirupati on Wednesday, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Ajay Kumar Sood delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the role of educated youth in addressing rural development challenges. He presented the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) as a model for translating academic research into practical solutions, noting that 62 field-tested technologies from seven IITs have been shared with 752 NGOs, with a second phase focused on commercialization. Sood highlighted Sabjikothi, a portable solar-powered storage unit that extends produce shelf life from three days to 30 days without chemicals, as a success story already deployed in 1,000 units across Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh, reducing post-harvest losses by nearly 40%. He encouraged graduates to pursue interdisciplinary work in IoT-enabled agricultural tools, digital financial inclusion platforms, robotics, and smart manufacturing. The event concluded with honorary doctorates awarded to Sood, Indian National Science Academy President Shekhar C. Mande, and Bharat Biotech Executive Chairman Krishna M. Ella, while the university's Vice-Chancellor highlighted SVU's research centers and industry collaborations.
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Youth urged to drive rural development at SVU convocation
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