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Entrepreneurship for Innovation in Rural Areas

The Entrepreneurship Development and Incubation Centre (EDIC) at Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) Guwahati organized a talk on “Opportunities and Technology Innovations in Rural Entrepreneurship,” 20th November 2013 at its Azara campus.

Some 60 students from various departments of the ADBU School of Technology took part in the lecture by Professor of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati and Coordinator of RuTAG-NE (Rural technology Action Group-North East) Dr S.K. Kakoty.

Prof. Kakoty engaged the students and faculty with several case studies in entrepreneurship opportunities and technology innovation in the rural areas of northeastern states.

Dr Kakoty gave the example of traditional weaving sector in Assam where his team introduced technology innovation by introducing a Sectional Warping Machine with length counter which can be operated manually or by 1hp motor. The locally manufactured low cost machine is of high demand among weavers of nearby weaving clusters.

Another instance of technology innovation opportunity in entrepreneurship was the Power Loom Weaving of the typical Assamese Muga Silk Fabrics for export. A joint initiative of RuTAG-NE and Northeastern Development Finance (NEDFi) developed the mechanization of plain muga weaving.

Robust and user friendly cycles designed by RuTAG-NE help banana famers of one of the largest banana markets in Asia - Darrangiri banana market in Assam’s Golpara district help vendors save Rs.150 per day on transportation costs.

After explaining the various stages in technology application for innovation to help rural population, Dr Kakoty encouraged students to look out for new opportunities for technology innovation in rural areas.

After fielding several student and faculty project queries with innovative ideas for rural development, Dr Kakoty concluded the session pledging his support to all who come up with new concepts and projects to help innovation and entrepreneurship for the rural population. 

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CM Paul's picture

Former HoD, Dept of Mass Communications at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, C.M. Paul was editor of The Herald weekly in Kolkata and director of Don Bosco International News Agency (ANS) based in Rome. He did MA in Journalism & Mass Communication from FORDHAM University, New York.

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