UBA Orientation at IIT Roorkee Highlights Pathways to Atmanirbhar Villages

Uttarakhand, September 20, 2025: The Regional Coordinating Institute of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) at IIT Roorkee organized an Orientation Workshop for UBA Coordinators of Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh at the APJ Abdul Kalam Block, IIT Roorkee. The workshop brought together coordinators, experts, and community leaders to deliberate on sustainable rural development through innovation, traditional knowledge, and entrepreneurship.

The inaugural session featured the lighting of the lamp and the release of the book “देशज ज्ञान में बादल.” Welcoming the participants, Prof. Ashish Pandey, Coordinator, RCI-UBA, IIT Roorkee, highlighted the significance of UBA in bridging academia and rural communities.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, emphasized, “The spirit of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan lies in empowering villages with knowledge, technology, and sustainable practices. At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to supporting rural transformation through innovation-driven initiatives that pave clear pathways to Atmanirbhar Villages.”

Padmashri Shri Sethpal Singh remarked, “True development begins in our villages. By diversifying agriculture and embracing traditional wisdom, we can ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers.”

The technical sessions featured a wide range of themes, including diversification in agriculture, honey authentication and food safety, weather forecasting with traditional wisdom, organic farming, eco-village concepts, entrepreneurship for Atmanirbhar villages, and agro-advisory services. Expert speakers included Prof. N.K. Navani, Dr. Meena Kumari, Shri Ravi Saini, Dr. Subha Dvedi, and Dr. Pooja.

Prof. N. K Navaani explained about establishment of national centre for honey authentication & food safety with the help of national bee board under ministry of agriculture and farmer welfare govt of India. he also explained about government's initiative to support farmers for "madhu kranti" through subsidies on equipment for honey production, honey processing and training for honey bee farming.

Concluding the sessions, Prof. Ashish Pandey underlined UBA’s role in integrating local wisdom with modern science, stating, “This workshop will help PIs of UBA coordinating institutes of Uttarakhand and West UP to serve as catalysts of change, linking rural realities with institutional expertise.”

The day also included a visit to the Agromate Observatory at IIT Roorkee, offering participants hands-on exposure to agri-based innovations.

The workshop reaffirmed IIT Roorkee’s commitment to the vision of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan – fostering self-reliant, sustainable, and empowered villages.

The workshop outcomes are closely aligned with the Government of India’s rural development priorities, including Swachh Bharat Mission, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2028, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which emphasizes community engagement and experiential learning. By connecting academic expertise with grassroots realities, the initiative reinforces national goals of sustainability, inclusivity, and rural empowerment.