Centre to rope in ISRO to provide Internet in 80 remote tribal villages

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space sector

Context:

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs plans to partner with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to introduce V-SAT stations for Internet services in approximately 80 tribal villages across Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

Details:

This initiative aims to provide pilot connectivity, including Internet, medical, and educational services, to these tribal-dominated areas.
The proposal was part of a larger discussion on empowering tribal communities, which also explored potential projects with other leading institutes like AIIMS Delhi, IIT Delhi, IIM Calcutta, and IISc Bengaluru, chaired by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.

V-SAT stations (very small aperture terminal):

The government plans to collaborate with ISRO to establish V-SAT stations in 80 geographically remote and difficult-to-access tribal villages,aiming to overcome connectivity challenges these areas face.
This pilot project, part of a broader initiative to promote tribal development and e-governance in remote locations, will be closely monitored for potential expansion to additional tribal villages across other states.
The selection of these 80 villages across Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra is underway, with the project’s specifics to be determined soon.

Other initiatives:

Additionally, the Tribal Affairs Ministry is partnering with AIIMS Delhi to advance research on tribal health issues, particularly Sickle Cell Anemia, and to organize training for medical staff in tribal regions.
There are plans to establish a Bhagwan Birsa Munda Chair of Tribal Health and Haematology at AIIMS Delhi.
Collaborations with IIT Delhi and IIM Kolkata are also in the works to create a department for Appropriate Technology and Entrepreneurship, while a proposal with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, aims to establish a training facility offering semiconductor courses to tribal students.
One other proposal was also tabled to collaborate with the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru for setting up a training facility which will offer courses on semiconductors to tribal students.

Source: TH