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DRDO trying to reach out to NE people

By Raju Das

SHILLONG, Aug 3 - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is �paying special attention to the North East to win the hearts of people� through technological transfers created initially for the soldiers.

Senior Scientist at DRDO, Manas K Mandal speaking to The Assam Tribune said the two laboratories operating in the region, to invent new technologies, are the Defence Research Laboratory in Tezpur and a Field Laboratory in Tawang.

�DRDO�s effort is to make the lives of soldiers working in difficult terrains better through technological interventions. We are trying to give the spin-off of our research and technology to the people. We want synergy between society, science and soldier,� the Scientist, who is working under the Combat-Manpower Wing of the DRDO, said.

He informed that in Tezpur Laboratory, Research and Development (R&D) revolves around controlling vector- borne diseases, spread through mosquitoes. The Laboratory is also conducting research on Entomology related diseases of soldiers and providing potable water.

�The newly created Field Laboratory in Tawang is conducting agro-technology based research. Research is also on potable drinking water, disease prevention and sanitation,� Mandal said.

He said that the agro-technology based research is focused on producing food in difficult terrain and not relying on supplies from outside. He said, the local farmers are being provided technological know-how for their own sustenance. �The local farmers can also provide their produce to the soldiers stationed in the high altitudes in future,� he stated.

The Scientist added, the DRDO is trying to �gain its foothold in the NE under India�s Act East Policy, Clean India and Make in India Missions.�

Mandal, who is also a psychologist, said there is need for social engineering, especially for security forces operating in conflict zones such as Jammu and Kashmir and other areas, to avoid civilian casualties.

Efforts are on to use minimal force, but he stated, that at times situations gets out of control like presently in Jammu and Kashmir.

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