Practical Action organises National Workshop on Technology Justice at OUAT-Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Feb 10: Technology can give justice to the need of poor and marginalised society; if used ethically, technology can lessen the social gaps, vowed experts on the eve of National Workshop on Technology Justice here on Tuesday. The workshop marking the 50^th anniversary of International philanthropic organisation Practical Action held at CAET Campus, OUAT ended with a gathering of experts of national repute discussing on key issues like Renewable energy, Water-Sanitation Agriculture and Climate change.

During the inaugural ceremony of the national workshop, Dr PradeepPanigrahy, Hon’ble Minister of State Higher Education, Science and Technology, RD (Water Supply) applauds the efforts being carried by Practical Action and showed his eagerness towards more technological innovations to come up for poverty reduction and social wellbeing of the people of the state.

Minister inaugurated the Litter of Light live demonstration. During his speech he vowed for a massive technological activism which will solve many social problems. He said, this workshop on technology justice will lead us for a better future. The need of the hour is access to technology by all which can only be possible by Technology Justice. Sustainable use of resources is something we must focus on at this moment added the Minister.

The Dean of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology  Dr Md Khalid Khan said technology can be best used for agriculture and unemployed Youth. He urged Practical Action for more such initiatives to make lives better in the state. ManoranjanKar, Vice Chancellor OUAT reaffirmed the commitment of OUAT for providing sustainable life through education and practice. He also said, “We must be inquisitive for getting innovative ideas to execute on technology to be used for one and all. Technology is the basis we are living on and we need to be aware of it. We must respect Technology for that.”

This workshop marked an exhibition of technology including the popular Solar Cart and Liter of Light which are designed to serve poor people indifferently. While inaugurating the exhibition the Regional Director, Practical Action South Asia, Mr Achyut Luitel reaffirmed that, Practical Action will continue serving the state and the need of the people to the best of its ability by introducing and promoting accessible, affordable and sustainable technologies for the benefit of all.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by 3 technical sessions on Renewable Energy, Waste, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture and Climate change where, thematic experts of national repute presented with innovations and new technologies used in different geographical locations and talked about news ways to fight the menace of poverty with appropriate technology.

While talking to media, the coordinator of India Programme, Practical Action,Dr.Birupakshya Dixit said, “Practical Action is trying to reverse this injustice by working to support local innovation and demonstrating what a transformative effect access to essential technology can have.”

In the valedictory ceremony the Vice Chancellor of National Law University Odisha, DzrShrikrishna Deva Rao and Special Secretary to Planning Board, Government of Odisha Mr Sujit Kumar were present and gave their concluding remarks on the successful completion of the workshop.

The one day programme celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Practical Action also witnessed the 50 years of CAET (College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology).