At the International Plenary Session on “Technology, Culture and Development: Intersections and Implications”, held from 10–12 October 2025 during the International Conference of the Indian Association of Social Science Institutions (IASSI) at Doon University, Dehradun, Brig. Yogesh Kapoor, VSM (Retd.), Head of Training & Capacity Building Services, Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA), shared insights.

Comprising federal universities and research institutions committed to advancing interdisciplinary research in the social sciences, the conference brought together both international and national delegates. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator for India, among other distinguished guests.

Speaking at the session, Brig. Yogesh Kapoor, VSM (Retd.), Head of Training & Capacity Building Services, Development Alternatives Group, shared the organisation’s mission of future-proofing those furthest behind first—enabling marginalised communities to become active participants, rather than bystanders, in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. He highlighted how Development Alternatives has been leveraging social innovations rooted in the Ends–Ways–Means paradigm to integrate traditional wisdom with modern enterprise—ranging from low-carbon cement innovations and inclusive livelihood models to community-led climate action and green mobility initiatives for women.

The forum deliberated on how technological progress, cultural contexts, and developmental priorities converge to define the trajectory of modern societies. The session was chaired by Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor, Nalanda University and Chairman, IASSI, and comprised Jan Rielaender, Head, Resilient and Sustainable Development, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Ms. Suma Athreye, Head, School of Public Policy, IIT Delhi; and Brig. Yogesh Kapoor.

The deliberations underscored the risks of uneven technology absorption across regions, cautioning that without sensitivity to local realities, technological progress could inadvertently widen existing divides. Speakers emphasised that cultural contexts must be integral to innovation design to ensure equitable access and adoption. The consensus emerging from the session was that the ultimate goal should be to foster an ecosystem of adaptive, inclusive, and context-sensitive innovation—one that restores ecosystems while empowering communities to participate meaningfully in the development process.