DST and CII to come up with a roadmap for industry to use tech solutions to combat Covid-19

NEW DELHI: With scientists and research institutions coming out with various technology to combat Covid-19, department of science & technology (DST) and industry association - Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - will soon come up with a roadmap for industry to implement those technological solutions on the ground to fight the pandemic.
The move was discussed at a digital conference - ‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology & Research Translations’ (RESTART) - on the occasion of the national technology day on Monday where Union minister Harsh Vardhan said India was well poised to reboot the economy through science & technology and appealed scientists to continue with their efforts the way they had been doing it to bring out various innovative solutions to fight the pandemic.
Various scientific institutions and Universities from across the country have, so far, come out with over 200 solutions, including 70 biological ones, to combat Covid-19. It includes vaccines candidates, diagnostics products, therapeutics options, drug repurposing proposals and various preventive interventions.
“Within a short period of time, the nation has been able to mobilise a number of researchers to develop new testing kits, protective equipment and respiratory devices etc,” said Vardhan while apprising the audience of the role the ‘Covid-19 Task Force’ played in mapping out the novel coronavirus related technology capabilities.
The DST secretary, Ashutosh Sharma, on the occasion, spoke about importance of a national mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System (CPS) which has brought together a network of experts on artificial intelligence (AI) who are working on several components like electronic processes, deep processes and education systems for new age.
A CPS is a mechanism controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, tightly integrated with internet and its users. The pan-India national mission on CPS is expected to act as an engine of growth that would benefit national initiatives in health, education, energy, environment, agriculture, strategic cum security, industry 4.0, SMART Cities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The conference, organised by the Technology Development Board (TDB) of the DST and the CII, saw many top scientists including the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to government, K Vijay Raghavan, flagging importance of new-age technologies and, medical and manufacturing technologies in boosting the economy as the world adjusts to the new normal during Covid-19 situation. They also emphasised on using the opportunity to promote India as an R&D hub.
Raghavan pointed out how technology can change the way we live our lives and the way we do things in future, particularly in the post-Covid-19 era. He noted that this is an opportunity to gear up for the future that lies ahead, and said a better-equipped R&D workforce and ecosystem would prepare India better for future challenges.
Speaking on the occasion, Saumya Swaminathan, chief scientist, World Health Organisation (WHO), appreciated the way India has, so far, tackled the Covid-19 challenge.