ICAR-CIRCOT Organizes Online Lecture on “Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Development” under Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada

As part of the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda under Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai organized an online lecture on “Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Development” on 10th November 2025. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Himanshushekhar Chaurasia, Scientist, and attended by more than 30 tribal youth, women entrepreneurs, and innovators. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of digitalization in empowering tribal communities and fostering inclusive growth.

Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai, addressed the participants and emphasized the transformative power of digital inclusion in driving socio-economic growth. He highlighted how digital tools and technologies can bridge the gap between rural producers and global markets. He encouraged participants to embrace e-commerce, digital payment systems, and social media marketing to expand their market reach, build brand identity, and strengthen their participation in the modern digital economy.

In his lecture, Dr. Chaurasia discussed the transformative role of digital inclusion in fostering tribal development and sustainability. He explained how digital tools can improve access to education, skill development, healthcare, and market opportunities for tribal populations. Dr. Chaurasia elaborated on key government initiatives such as Digital India Mission, BharatNet, Common Service Centres (CSCs), PMGDISHA, e-NAM, e-GramSwaraj, and Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, which promote digital connectivity and entrepreneurship in rural and tribal regions.

He also discussed several case studies to illustrate the impact of digital inclusion, including TRIFED-established Van Dhan Kendras, digital gurukuls, and CSC e-learning centres in tribal belts. He cited the example of the Jharkhand Van Dhan cluster, where digital market access significantly enhanced the income of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and mobile van-based digital classrooms in Gadchiroli, which expanded learning opportunities in remote areas. Dr. Chaurasia also introduced participants to the ICAR-CIRCOT RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme, encouraging tribal entrepreneurs and innovators to apply for funding support up to ₹25 lakhs for developing innovative products or establishing value-added enterprises. He explained how these schemes provide financial assistance, mentorship, and incubation support to help transform tribal innovations into sustainable business ventures.

Dr. Chaurasia concluded by emphasizing that digital empowerment is a cornerstone of both cultural preservation and economic progress. He urged the participants to actively engage with digital technologies for promoting their art, innovations, and enterprises, while continuously learning new skills to strengthen their participation in the digital economy and contribute to sustainable tribal development. To ensure better understanding among attendees from non-Hindi speaking areas, Dr. T. Senthil Kumar, Senior Scientist with proficiency in Tamil, provided a Tamil translation of key discussion points.