| TARA : Triggering a Revolution, Alas ! Dr Arun Kumar akumar@devalt.org The recent explosion in the prices of oil in the world market and the politics of prices in the national market are clear indicators that the poor in India would be badly hit; further increasing their economic vulnerability. This factor alone will be a great impediment for creation of new employment for millions of youth; especially in rural areas. Vulnerable groups like farmers, brick makers, small furnace and bhatti operators are already badly effected due to their dependence on diesel, coal and steam coal, respectively; all these energy sources are spiralling upwards in terms of cost. The national concern of large scale employment generation will need a three pronged strategy to be energised and synchronised. The components of this effort include: | · | New economic opportunities based on new technologies; including ICT | | · | Higher productivity of material, waste, energy, manpower resources in existing sectors | | · | Energy security of rural communities through wider promotion of renewable energy technologies | The huge potential of technology driven economic development is attracting attention and limited investments in select sectors. TARA, Inswareb have pioneered the promotion of micro-concrete building products and fly ash based walling materials through innovative technologies and micro-enterprises. Agrocel has pioneered innovations for organically grown crops; GIAN offers support for rural innovations; and TARAhaat delivers Internet based solutions and services to rural communities through a network of franchises; and ITC e-choupal and HLL Vindhya Valley provide information and marketing support for farm products and processed foods, respectively. The competitiveness and the very existence of traditional manufacturing will depend on new technology that significantly raises resource productivity. Drip irrigation systems promoted by IDE have dramatically increased horticultural production in Maharashtra while rationalising the use of water. The TARA Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln Technology reduces energy consumption by over 30% and halves the soil consumption by using industrial wastes such as stone dust and fly ash. Similar solutions are needed for crop production, energy production and wood and bamboo generation. The TARA approach is based on cyclic considerations, beginning with investments in technologies that create livelihoods and new economic wealth and, therefore, using the wealth for "quality of life" products and services. New investments will follow. This issue of DA Newsletter recognizes the efforts of technology initiatives promoted by social enterprises like TARA, TIDE, IDE and DESI. Their successes and failures may well have considerable relevance for millions of rural job seekers in India during the coming decades. q Back to Contents |