Digital Empowerment: Union Government Partners With ISRO To Connect Tribal Villages

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has unveiled a groundbreaking proposal to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to provide Internet services to approximately 80 tribal villages across Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

The initiative, revealed at a recent ministry event focused on innovative projects for tribal development, aims to bridge the digital divide and empower marginalised communities through connectivity.

S Somnath, ISRO chief, confirmed the collaboration, emphasising that a memorandum of understanding will soon be signed between the two entities to kickstart the project.

The pilot connectivity initiative will offer essential services such as Internet access, medical connectivity, and educational resources to these remote tribal-dominated villages. The proposal, discussed during a meeting chaired by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, highlights the government's commitment to leveraging technology for tribal welfare.

Alongside the collaboration with ISRO, several other projects were tabled, including partnerships with renowned institutions such as AIIMS Delhi, IIT Delhi, IIM Calcutta, and IISc Bengaluru. The ISRO collaboration entails setting up V-SAT (very small aperture terminal) stations in geographically remote villages with challenging terrain, which have long been deprived of connectivity.

Furthermore, the ministry's partnerships with leading institutions underscore its multifaceted approach to tribal development. Collaborations with AIIMS Delhi will focus on advanced research and training programmes for healthcare professionals, with a particular emphasis on addressing prevalent health issues like sickle cell anemia.

Plans are also underway to establish specialised departments for appropriate technology and entrepreneurship in collaboration with IIT Delhi and IIM Kolkata, respectively.

Additionally, proposals have been made to collaborate with the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru to establish a training facility offering courses on semiconductor technology to tribal students.

These initiatives reflect the ministry's commitment to fostering holistic development and empowering tribal communities through education, healthcare, and technology-driven interventions.