IIT Kanpur bags award for ‘Tech for Tribals’ programme

‘Tech For Tribals’ initiative aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development through self-help groups operating via Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, has won the Best Entrepreneurial Skill Training Project award for its ‘Tech for Tribal’ programme at the inaugural Van Dhan Annual awards of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). 

‘Tech For Tribals’ is an initiative, which aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). 

IIT Kanpur’s technology business incubator, Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), has set up two phasor measurement units (PMUs) in Chhattisgarh and Kerala under the TRIFED-supported ‘Tech for Tribals’ project. The incubator is popularly known by its brand name, Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC). 

Prof Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “We are proud to be associated with the ‘Tech for Tribals’, a unique programme to make tribals of this nation ‘Atmanirbhar’. It focuses on bridging the gap between tribal entrepreneurs and urban markets. The technological transformation brought out by IIT Kanpur’s contribution to this unique initiative has emerged as a beacon of change impacting the tribal ecosystem. I am sure through such interventions, tribals will rise above all challenges to become self-reliant.”  

Nikhil Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, FIRST, IIT Kanpur, said, “Through ‘Tech for Tribals’, we at FIRST have trained tribal entrepreneurs to amplify the impact of their businesses. It has helped put tribal entrepreneurs on the path of commercialisation. This recognition will motivate the team and add to their efforts for the benefit of the programme’s beneficiaries.” 

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