Latest : WOMEN TECHNOLOGY PARK INAUGURATED AT SCIENCE CITY

WOMEN TECHNOLOGY PARK INAUGURATED AT SCIENCE CITY
Kapurthala, October 06, 2020 : Economic empowerment of women is the most viable solution to integrate women to the developmental goals of the nation and Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The unseen foe (COVID-19) has really hit us hard, touching every section of the society and especially the poor, daily wagers and women at large. The ‘Women Technology park’ set up at Pushpa Gujral Science City is an attempt towards empowering the rural women and making them ‘Atma Nirbhar’. The park was inaugurated by Joint Development Commissioner Cum CEO Punjab State Rural livelihood Mission (PSRLM) Ms Neelima, IAS. While inaugurating, Ms. Neelima said that Women Technology Park is a technology modulation and a training centre with livelihood technologies for women. This park will enhance the capabilities of women and promote women entrepreneurship by providing equal opportunities especially in rural areas. Further, she informed that Science City has started the first batch of residential training in Mushroom cultivation. Punjab State Rural Livelihoods Mission has nominated Krishi Sakhis (64 in two batches.) from 7 districts (Sangroor, Tarantarn, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Bhatinda and patiala) for the said training. Now, these trained Krishi Sakhis will further train 15000 identified Mahila Kisans within the State of Punjab.
Ms. Deepti Uppal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala was the Guest of Honour at this occasion. She said that District administration has already provided a platform ‘Bibian Di Dukan’ for sale of domestic items like Desi Ghee, Biscuits, Turmeric, Pheny and other products prepared by the women Self Help Groups (SHG) from the district. She also told that the District has 188 SHG’s and out of total 1992 members, 1400 are women, who not only prepare domestic items but are also involved in stitching suits and making handicraft items. Further, products/goods made by rural women in Women Technology park will also be sold in ‘Bibian Di Dukan’, she added.
Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General Science City at this occasion, informed that the park has been catalyzed and supported by Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of Department of Science & Technology, GoI. The Park is an attempt to ensure that the benefits of science and technology percolate to the rural women of the surrounding villages and provide them livelihood opportunities to enable rural women (without specific skills) to earn their own livelihood in a dignified way. The Women Technology Park consist of 3 Training Units: Pleurotussajorcaju (Dhingri) Cultivation, Value addition to existing textile materials(Training on Block Printing and computer embroidery machine) and Preparation of Cow Dung pots and Logs ( An Innovative Way Of Using Cow Dung). The project is of three year duration and the total cost of the project is around Rs. 59.60 lakh. Further, she said that efforts will also be made to collaborate with Banks (including NABARD and TiE) for soft loan to women to set up their own enterprise (preferably collective) in the village after training under schemes like, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Cent Kalyani Scheme, Orient Mahila Vikas Yojna, Stree Shakti Package, etc.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Development Kapurthlala Sh. SP Angra present appreciated the efforts of science city and said that the Women Technology Park will make women in the region financially independent once learning rural technologies.
Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director Science City present at this occasion said that, besides, hands on and practical training, Science City will also give training on marketing, networking and incubation facility which would be a unique feature of the Technology Park. Further, the project will empower women through inputs of science and technology, he added.