President asks scientists to work on low cost technology solutions

President Pratibha Patil today asked scientists to work on low cost technology solutions that are easy to implement and within the reach of end users.

"Apart from working on cutting-edge technologies, scientists should focus on low cost technology solutions that are easy to implement and within the reach of end users," she said after inaugurating the Rs15-crore State Wide Area Network (Swan) project under the national e-governance plan here.

Science and technology and its practical applications have a very vital role in developmental schemes. Desalination of water, necessary for providing drinking water to islanders, also requires technical expertise, Patil, who arrived at the picturesque Lakshadweep Islands from Mangalore on a three-day visit, said.

The president stressed the need to encourage use of renewable sources of energy like solar, wind and bio energies.

Expressing satisfaction at the implementation of Swan in the islands, she said it would provide connectivity between various government departments. It would be a platform for e-governance and other IT-enabled services, and also ensure a communication channel for disaster management in case a need arises.

The project would also help in improvement of education, health awareness, accurate weather information, entertainment and news delivery services.

She hoped that as the bandwidth is increased, Internet facilities would be extended to the people of the islands for their business and personal use.