Jaipur.The top priority of Department of Science of Technology (DST), Government of Rajasthan is to bring science to the people by popularizing interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts (Humanities), Mathematics and Medicine (STEAMM).
Ms Mugdha Sinha, secretary, DST, Government of Rajasthan said many research based innovations have taken place in the State such as bionic arm, an improvement over the Jaipur Foot; heat patch for detection of breast cancer; sensor based smart card for detection of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), one of the common infections in women; biodegradable material for bone implant; bio-pesticide that has both preventive and curative properties and others that can or need to be supported by the government.
She said that the department wants to encourage such scientists and researchers to get into manufacturing so that they turn into entrepreneurs. She said many scientists come with innovations but do not get it patented thus efforts would be made on commercialization of patents. The department wants to promote startup and science based manufacturing.
The department will encourage such scientists to get their innovations and youth coming up with startups to get patented for which Patent Facilitation Centres and Intellectual Property Rights IP cells will be opened in the State at all Universities including Central, State, Deemed and Private, she added.
Ms Mugdha Sinha said that the department has issued policy guidelines for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and patent protection and matrix for royalty sharing etc to all universities to adopt it to encourage an ecosystem for promoting research. “The Government of India has set mandate to double the number of patents in Rajasthan in a year, which at present has 26 patents,” department secretary said.
The department is also trying to encourage women scientists of age group 27 to 57 years those who had taken a break in their career and wanting a re-entry. These women under Government of India’s Women Scientists Scheme will be encouraged to do research in basic/applied science; for science and technology interventions for societal benefits and internship opportunities in IPR for self employment under Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme. These women can become patent officers, the department secretary informed.
She said DST, Rajasthan is trying to increase participation of girl child in STEAMM through exposure, dissemination of information, expert guidance and financial support and to ensure more fellowships, scholarships, employment opportunities and also self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities through capacity building and training of women.
In regard to funds, Ms Mugdha Sinha said, “The Government of Rajasthan has allocated Rs 19 crore for 2019-20. In in 2010-11, the budget was just Rs 5 crore, which now has been increased to almost four times. I believe there is no dearth of funds for science, research and innovation and funds will be utilized by providing holistic vision.”
She informed that the department is working on getting geographical indication (GI) for Sojat Mehendi, henna from Sojat in Pali district of Rajasthan. “We are exploring the potential of GIs in handicrafts, forestry, agriculture, horticulture, food items etc,” the official said.
DST through its Science and Innovation Lecture series is also providing a platform for science and research based startups, incubation and entrepreneurship.
