Society For Technology & Development
a Non Government Organization

Annual Progress Report 2022-23

Annual Progress Report 2021-22

Annual Progress Report 2020-21

Condolence Resolution

Two minutes of silence was observed at the beginning of the Annual General Body (AGB) meeting to pay homage to Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, Scientist ‘E’,DST, who passed away on April 21, 2021 due to COVID - 19.

2. Activities/ follow up action since the last meeting :

2.1. As part of R&D initiative through DST the preventive products being prepared by Banglore based organization to fight against COVID, our organization distributed 10 incubation / safety key – zeta in Ner chowk Medical College, Civil Hospital Sunder Nagar on June 1, 2020 and on June 24 at PHC Nagwain (4+4+2) safety key 2000 ( STD, MSJVS, SFD +CHC Nagwain and PHC Kanaid )

2.2. Online interaction programme on ground water scenario and management plan of Mandi district by Central ground water board, NHR D/Shala in which 50 people participated on line from Balh block.

2.3. GMW – SCP through online video conference on traditional craft of Chamba was held on 28th August, 2020. The progress report was presented and expert members advised to have product diversification linkages with NIFT craft institute, Kangra.

2.4. The organization participated in seminar on disaster management through online being organized by DDMA, on September 29, 2020.

2.5. The organization participated in DST webinar on Agriculture on 15-16 October, 2020, on post harvesting technology on 21 October 2020, on social infrastructure on 26-27 November, 2020.

2.6. The organization participated in SMSME and Economics cluster webinar from November 5-6, 2020 being organized by DST

2.7. Our organization attended the AIPSN EC meeting was held on November 17, 2020 in which National Policy on Education and livelihood issues were and the organization was given the responsibility to work on livelihood.

2.8. A workshop on design development on traditional craft of Chamba was held from 3-5 December, 2020 at Malori in collaboration with National Institute of Fashion Design, Kangra HP.

2.9. The organization participated in on line webinar was attended on India International Science Festival being organized by DST on December 23-24.

2.10. On behalf of organization participated in AIPSN EC online meeting was held on January 24, 2021 followed by General Council meeting on 7th Feb, 2021.

2.11. Training programme was organized at Malori to train local craftsmen about the design development of traditional Chamba craft from February 25 to 27 Mr Rana, master trainer from National Institute of Fashion Design Kangra conducted the training and Society president DP gave away the training certificates to the participants

2.12.The organization participated in online Webinar on Showcasing Technologies evolved under TIME-LEARN programme and presented the PPT on River Ropeway Technology project was held on March 8-9, 2021. The expert committee members asked to complete the remaining work at the earliest.

2.13. A farmer’s meet was organized at Bhadyal on March 30, 2021 under YSP – Cherry rootstock project to popularize and replicate the root stock.

2.14. Dr Premi, DDM, NABARD visited Nagwain field station on April 2, 2021 to discuss the Rural Technology project especially through Rural Innovation Fund .

2.15. On April ,21, 2021 Dr Sunil Aggarwal passed away and on April ,29, Dr Sunil Memorial lecture was organized through online by DST, which was attended by STD staff.

2.16. On May 7, 2021 review meeting with IHBT on Chamba project was held virtually to review the work being done by the organization.

2.17. The organization participated in Webinar being organized by DST-Core on post COVID plan on May 27, 2021 .

2.18. The organization participated in Dr Amit Sen Gupta memorial online meet, which was held on June 5, 2021.

2.19. A Programme Advisory and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) meeting on Schedule Cast Sub Plan (SCSP) was held on July 26, 2021. The final progress was presented on Traditional Craft Chamba activities during the last 3 years.

2.20. The organization participated in National Scientific Temper Day webinar in which PSM group from HP participated through online on August 20, 2021.

2.21. The online project was submitted on “Establishment of Community Covid Resilience Centre (CCRRC) to DST for Nagwain field area on September 14, 2021.

On Going Projects :

3.1 Core Support :
The organization have established 2 Common Facility Centers, 1st one is in village-Parwai, Block-Bhatiyat, Distt.- Chamba H.P, for distillation and processing of Wild marigold oil and Value added products from Rhododendron with work shed of 600 sqft having Distillation unit (250 Cap. ) with equipment such as Screw type Juice extractor, Storage and mixing Tanks ,Gas furnace and Balance for 8 direct beneficiaries and 40 indirect beneficiaries. The organization has fabricated 5 Poly-tunnels to raise nursery of Rosemary and Lavender among 5 direct beneficiaries. 2nd Common Facility Centre has been established in village Pichalagramang, Block Kullu Distt. Kullu H.P for Preparation of traditional fermented beverage having work shed of 400 sqft with desired Equipment's such as Fermentation Tank, Filter press, Crown corking machine, Gas furnace, Weighing balance which has been used by 8 direct Beneficiaries of the villages.

Annual Report 2020-21

1. Agro-technology and Distillation of wild marigold oil :
The Training and Trial Demonstration has been imparted with further Cultivated in 5 hectares of land, involving 25 farmers. Distilled about 18 kg of oil and sold at Rs. 12000/kg. Propagation & supply of quality planting material of Lavender & Rosemary Hands on trainings to farmers. Raised 34000 cuttings in 5 poly-tunnels. Sold 7000 no's at Rs. 7/- to IHBT,Palampur.

Annual Report 2020-21

2. Development of nutraceutical/ functional foods :
Standardized 2 variants of biscuits based on Amaranthus and Broccoli/spinach. Analyzed at CFTRI and found to very rich in Ca, K P, Fe, & Vit. C. as compared to control sample.

Annual Report 2020-21

3. Value added products from Rhodo-dendron flowers and Establishment of Common Facility Centre :
The Training and trial Demonstration has been carried out in processing, packing and labelling of products 20 farmers trained in process Initially produced and sold about 800-1000 bottles of squash locally. FSSAI license under process.

Annual Report 2020-21

4. Herbal Toilet Soaps based on wild apricot oil using natural aromatics :
The Standardization of Recipe and process and analysis at IRTC-PPC, Kerala and Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi. 3 women SHGs and 1 Kisan Club making and selling soaps at local level.

Annual Report 2020-21

5. Technology improvement and scientific validation of traditional fermented Beverages :
The Trials to standardize the traditional process under process. Analysis for desired parameters to be done at ISM-Research Institute, Joginder Nagar, H.P.

Annual Report 2020-21

6. Design & fabrication of emulsion making unit (EMU) for making moisturizers :
The Design and Fabrication has been done at GAK engineers Mohali. 25 kg capacity (SS 304) made EMU with variable duty. Equipment to make emulsions for making moisturizers at community level.

Annual Report 2020-21

7. Efforts to combat COVID‐19 :
The organization have trained the Women 15 women SHGS (60 women) in 2/3 layer reusable cotton masks. About 10000 masks were made by these women and distributed among community. The organization also Trained FARMERS group in low cost alcohol based hand sanitizer using Artemisia/ Aloe vera extracts. Prepared Sanitizers and distributed to about 250 beneficiaries.

Publications : The following booklets have been prepared.

1. Fortification of Amaranthus biscuits with broccoli.
2. Fortification of Amaranthus biscuits with Spinach
3. Herbal toilet soaps based on wild apricot oil and aloe vera using natural aromatics.

3.2 River Rope Way :

Annual Report 2020-21

The prototype trial demonstration of 2 different models has been carried out and vetting for the model is awaited from IIT Roorkee.
The Progress report was presented during the Webinar held on 8-9 March/21. The final audited Statement of Expenditure has also been submitted to DST.

3.3 Traditional Chamba craft Chamba :

Annual Report 2020-21

S&T intervention in traditional craft of Chamba has been completed and the final progress report along with audited Statement of Expenditure already submitted and PPT presentation was made during on line Group Monitoring Workshop held on 27th July, 2021. It is proposed to have linkages with ongoing vegetable units and to replicate the same in Kullu area. It is proposed to reorganize the artisans group.

3.4 Standardization of protocols for in vitro micropropagation of Cherry rootstocks :

Annual Report 2020-21

The organization has made the standardization of media for initiation of in vitro cultures and in vitro cultures of Gisela have been established. Effect of growth regulators on in vitro multiplication of Cherry rootstocks was made and further multiplication media has standardized Evaluation of different types and concentrations of growth regulators on in vitro rooting of Cherry rootstocks. The Rooting media has been standardized Studies of platelets under poly house conditions. The plantlets have been hardened and distributed among farmers in 3 locations. The final progress report of the project along with the audit report has been submitted with Statement of Expenditure. The final Group Monitoring Workshop has been completed and progress made under YSP has already been presented. The existing lab at Bhadyal has been given on lease to Dr Shilpa Sharma for 15 years @ Rs 2000 with inclusion of staff.

4. Project submitted and in pipeline :

4.1 CCRRC (Post COVID resilience) :
The project has been submitted on “Establishment of Community Covid Resilience Center (CCRRC) to DST for Nagwain field area on September 14, 2021 through online submission.

4.2 Natural cosmetics Products :
The project has been submitted in Up-scaling of production & marketing of natural cosmetic products for sustainable livelihood in Nagwain area of Distt. Mandi (H.P.) through RuTAG, Roorkee and still awaited.

4.3. SFURTI Cluster in food processing through DST :
The project objective was to use local resources, appropriate value addition technologies/processes with farmers groups and further build capacity and enhance the production systems, processes and introduce appropriate technologies with quality control and Value addition of Culled and fresh fruits their Harvesting, Grading, processing and packaging with Marketing linkages and branding.

4.4 Science Technology Innovation Hub :
The present proposal aimed at welfare of SC/ST Population using Science and Technology inputs/processes in diversification of agriculture and traditional craft with focus development of novel/innovative technologies for the benefit of SC/ST communities with Adaptive R&D and field demonstration/extension oriented activities in 5 panchayats of Kanaid area of Sunder Nagar, Distt- Mandi HP.

4.5 Training on solar technology :
The Shramik Bharti in collaboration with TERI a short duration 30 days training programme on solar technology for 30 participants has been planned but it could not be materialized due to Covid-19.

4.6 Project on Medicinal plants :
The project proposal on Alternative Livelihood Generation through Cultivation of Medicinal plants in Kullu and Mandi district of (H.P.). “Himalayan Bio resources Mission '' to DBT, New Delhi.

New Proposal :

5.1 Rural Innovation Fund (NABARD) :
The project proposal on Standardization of protocol for extraction and usage of natural dye from pomegranate flowers to improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers and wool craft artisans in lower areas of Kullu valley submitted to NABARD for its consideration. It is being proposed that the Watershed plan for 5 panchayats of Sunder Nagar area to be submitted in near future to NABARD and all relevant information to be collected for the same.

Annual Progress Report 2019-20

1. Activities/follow up action since last meeting :

1.1 A workshop on Himalayan Innovation Challenge held at IIT Mandi on May 25-26 was attended by Joginder Walia and Dr Shilpa Sharma.

1.2 Executive committee meeting of AIPSN along with a cadre camp was held at New Delhi on May 25-26, 2019. The SDHD campaign was focused on the meeting and the cadre camp.

1.3  GMW review meeting on Traditional Craft of Chamba project was held at New Delhi on August 20, 2019 and was attended by Joginder Walia.

1.4 AIPSN General Council Meeting was held at Delhi on September 14-16, 2019 and was attended by DP Gupta.

1.5 A stakeholders' meeting of River Ropeway project was held at Bhadyal on September 18, 2019 to discuss field trial and certification of the prototype developed by STD. Representatives from HESCO, IIT Mandi and from the state certification authority attended the meeting.

1.6  AIPSN / BGVS cadre camp was held at Nagwain from October 14-1 9 October 2019. Joginder Walia, DP Gupta, Hem Raj and Ramesh Kumar participated in the camp.

1.7  Group monitoring workshop cum review meeting of River Ropeway project was held at Dehradun on December 26-27, 2019.

1.8  IUCN workshop cum review meeting was held at Shimla on March 15, 2020 and was attended by Joginder Walia.

Annual Report 2019-20

1.9 Activities related to COVID-19 responses were held in the month of April and May, 2020. The women beneficiaries involved in the chamba craft project have provided the training to 44 women SHG were trained in masks production in 3 Blocks of Distt-Mandi Viz; Sadar, Ballah and SunderNagar. These women further trained about 107 women in 44 villages. About 10250 masks were prepared by these women and distributed to migrant labourers, shopkeepers, officials and villagers. Sanitizer developed at Nagwain was also distributed free.

2. Ongoing activities/Programme :

1. Core support : Core Support programme has been extended from 2020 to 2025 with following activities :-

I. S & T Intervention : Aspirational Chamba Distt. : Parwai village, Bhatiyat block: Formed a network of 40 Farmers & linked to Himachal Gramin Bank, Lahdu, for further financial help.

Annual Report 2019-20

1. Diversification in to aromatic oils from wild marigold (Tagetes minuta) : In June 20, about 19 farmers cultivated wild marigold on about 22 bighas (1.76 hac.) of land. Hands on trainings to farmers and core team members were given at IHBT, Palampur as well as in farmers’ fields by concerned scientists on agro-technology of wild marigold. Constructed work shed (600 sqft) and installed 250 kg capacity distillation unit at Parwai village. Training cum demonstration was conducted at unit in the village by concerned scientists on extraction of oil, packing and storage of oil. Now the core team of trained farmers is doing extraction of oil themself. Linkages have also been established with Mohan Sugandhim, Mandi (H.P.) for selling of wild marigold oil @ Rs. 8000/-kg.

Annual Report 2019-20

2. Propagation & supply of quality planting material of Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) & Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) : As proposed 5 poly-tunnels (100 sqm. each) have been fabricated in farmers’ fields. Now we are in process to conduct hands on trainings to farmers at IHBT as well as in farmers’ fields. We are going to propagate about 22,000 plants of these plants through cutting in the ploy-tunnels.

3. Cultivation & drying of Matricaria : 15 farmers have been identified to grow matricaria in about 2.0 hac. of land in coming winter season This crop will be dried in indirect solar drier as well as oil will be extracted in distillation unit.

II. Development of nutraceutical/functional foods : Biscuits from nutritionally rich local Vegetable (Broccoli) in combination with flours of wheat & amaranthus (traditional millet) have been prepared. Storage & organoleptic study have been carried out for 6 months & found acceptable. For scientific validation physic-chemical and nutritional analysis was carried out at CFTRI, Mysore along with control sample. Prepared biscuits were found very rich in all minerals & vitamins as compared to control sample. For example prepared biscuit has Calcium, Potassium and Vit. C content, 347.8 mg/100 gm, 285.9 mg/100 gm and 24.9 mg/100 gm respectively whereas control sample has 43.9 mg/100 gm., 142.7 mg/100 gm and 12.9 mg/100 gm. We are manufacturing and selling this biscuit variant through FARMERS group under FSSAI license.

III. Technology improvement and scientific validation of traditional fermented beverages (SUR in Lag valley) in distt. Kullu of H.P. : A Group of ‘7’ farmers have been formed who will look after and sustain the enterprise after completion of project. Construction of work shed is in progress and completed in next couple of days. Medicinal plants to be used have been collected. Equipment’s are ready with manufacturer and shall be installed. Promotion of traditional crops like Kodra and amaranths etc to be carried out in the area.

Annual Report 2019-20

IV. Design & fabrication of emulsion making unit for making creams : A prototype of 8 kg capacity have been designed and fabricated in consultation with RuTAG, IIT Roorkee. We are optimizing it for product making. After optimizing it we will go for up scaled unit of about 20-25 kg capacity in next 2-3 months.

V. Herbal Soaps based on wild apricot oil & natural saponins from soap nut using natural aromatics : We have prepared 3 variants of toiler soap using, Aloe vera, Derek leaf extract and Artemisia extract using natural essential oils of Lavender, wild marigold and lemon grass and one variant of washing soap using soap nut extract with quality certification through NABL lab. for their quality parameters. It shall be replicate among women SHG`S for production and selling. We shall have production through FARMERS group after licencing and SSI registration.

3. River Ropeway Project :

The organization has undertaken R&D work for up-gradation of conventional river rope way crossings (Jhulla’s) under TIME-LEARN Programme, DST, New Delhi under guidance of IIT Mandi. The three models and have tested them on temporary test site at Bhadyal successfully.

Model - I
The model has been prepared by IIT Mandi and Its un-laden weight is 165 kg.It has been tested successfully on testing site. Power has been transmitted to rope drum through single set of sprockets and SR chain. Its successful test has proved feasibility of basic concept. Its fabrication has been done on the bases design of each parts.

Model_2 prototype-1
Design of this model is based on safety issues. Hence, heavy sections has been used during fabrication. Its un-laden weight was more than 450 kg. One of its trial on portable steel posts has been failed. Later it has been successfully tested on RCC posts after stripping for reducing its weight to 340 kg. In this model, haulage ropes run in helical groves of rope drum. Hence, its size/weight increase proportionally to the span. Hence, not found feasible for longer spans.

Annual Report 2019-20

Model-III Prototype-II
This model has been designed and fabricated with lighter sections for reducing its weight. Weight of rope drum is only 2 kg. Haulage rope is guided to remain within width of drum. All sprockets and SR Chains are also of lighter weight. Total un-laden weight is 120 kg. Cabin is enclosed with Aluminum grill having provision of entry & exit. The Prototype –II is feasible for demonstration. We look forward to get safety certificate from RTDC/Govt. after requisite modifications and further to get the R&D patented jointly with DST, IIT & STD through TIFAC so the further replicable model can be demonstrated through other developmental agencies.

Annual Report 2019-20

4. Standardization of protocols for in vitro micro-propagation of Cherry rootstocks

Different type and concentrations of growth regulators has been tried to achieve maximum multiplication rate and the best protocol for the establishment and multiplication of cherry rootstocks has been identified. In vitro raised plantlets have been hardened first in poly house for about 2-3 months than they are being transplanted to farmer’s fields for further assessment. Once each step are being standardized plantlets of cherry rootstock and being distributed to farmers which are involved in Apple and Cherry growing in tree location of Distt- Mandi H.P.

Annual Report 2019-20

5. S & T intervention in Leather Craft :

The equipment and machinery has been installed in October/2019 such as Buffing, Shaving, Glazing , Slow comb staking, Spray Booth and Toggle frames has been established for the smooth trial production of the glazed leather craft at Malori, Mandi, HP.

Annual Report 2019-20

The first batch of 18 beneficiaries (13 Female+5 Male) has been carried out from 12-18 August, 2019 field level training in technical assistance with Key resource personnel//Master Craft man from Chamba in which beneficiaries from the field area participated.

Annual Report 2019-20

The 2nd batch of 15 beneficiaries (10 Female+5 Male) has been carried out from 7-12 November, 2019 at field level training in technical knowhow from the Key Resource Personnel/Master Craft man from Chamba in which beneficiaries from the field area participated.

Annual Report 2019-20

Key Resource Person Training on Machines :
The training of the core group 3 persons has been carried out for one month at Footwear Design and Development Institute, Panchkula from 17th Feb to 15th March/2020 has been completed on Glazing, Buffing , staking, spray booth and toggle frame with spl emphasis to glazed leather for Chamba Chappal craft production and diversification.

Annual Report 2019-20

Full scale production and Marketing :
The trial cum demonstration which shall be carried out at field level with branding, design development, adaptive technology, and product diversification with packing and trial marketing. The networked artisans shall carry out full scale production of glazed leather linked with new range of Chamba craft for full scale economically viable production centre.

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