TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035 – AN INSIGHT

Abstract:

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), a technology think tank under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), looks up to technologies on the horizon, assesses the technology trajectories, and supports technology innovation by networked actions in select technology areas of national importance. 

Bringing out technology vision document is one of the regular activities of TIFAC. As first of its kind, TIFAC led by it’s the then Chairman Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, released the Technology Vision 2020 document in August 1996 that not just dared to envision India as a developed economy but also laid down technology roadmaps on 16 sectors of socio-economic importance to achieve this vision. The fast changing social, economical and technological scenarios, both in India and globe and a renewed quest for superiority in world order, prompted TIFAC to give the country a fresh vision and thus brought out “Technology Vision 2035”document. The document was unveiled by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in the 103rd Indian Science Congress on 3rd January, 2016 at Mysore.

Prepared on a consultative framework, Technology Vision 2035 factored in our capabilities and constraints, regional aspirations, expectations of the youth and above all it anchored on the Indians of 2035. Improving the quality of life by fulfilling the three basic needs of human life i.e. security, prosperity and identity is the approach taken while scripting the technology vision 2035 document. This vision document identifies 12 prerogatives that every Indian must be assured of at both individual and societal level. Towards ensuring their comprehensive realization, a broad range of future technologies- from ready to deploy to those in imagination- are envisioned and captured. A set of 10 grand challenges that India may confront with in future was also identified. The document has talked about how to fructify this vision in terms of actions. Therefore, it is backed up with 12 technology roadmaps as well. 

It is believed that TV2035 document would inspire and prompt the stake-holders across the S&T spectrum to plot technological trajectories and integrate them with developmental plans that can accelerate and sustain country’s growth.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Gautam Goswami is currently heading the most prestigious programme of TIFAC - Technology Vision 2035. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India released the Technology Vision 2035 document on 3rd January 2016 in the 103rd Science Congress at Mysore. This document is well appreciated in different forums. Prior to this, he coordinated the Technology Vision 2020 demonstration projects in Agriculture sector in different parts of the country focussing on increasing crop productivity, value addition, crop diversification, natural resource management etc. in close association with  Late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India. Dr. Goswami is also heading the Climate Change initiatives of TIFAC. He moderated a panel discussion on “Technology Aspects of Climate Change” in the COP 21 held in Paris on 11th December 2015. 

Dr. Goswami did Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science from University of Calcutta. During Ph.D, he developed a methodology “Removal of Iron Oxide from Soil” which was published as a chapter in a book “Clays : Controlling the Environment” CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, pp 317-322. Prior to joining in TIFAC, Dr Goswami was part time lecturer in the Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science Division of University of Kolkata.

Dr. Goswami has delivered several lectures on different topics in International and National Forums.