Society For Technology & Development
a Non Government Organization

1.1 Core review meeting 1-3 July, 2015, Shimla:
A team of DST expert team headed by Dr Rajeev Gulyani and others carried out on the spot evaluation of the core activities from 1st July-03 July, 2015 being implemented by the organization. The team made verification and assessment of progress vis-à-vis identified core activities and deliverable with future programme and activities and same was presented during the review meeting on 2nd July, 2015 at Shimla. The activities performed during the earlier two years of Core Support (2013-15) was evaluated by the expert team through on the spot assessment which was rated “very good.” and recommended to continue with expert suggestions/recommendations.

1.2 AIPSN Meeting 29-31 July, Mandi:
AIPSN office bearer extended meeting was held at Mandi from 29-31 July in which review of 15th Science Congress which was held at Bangalore and report of different desks were presented (viz; Education, Science Communication, Health, Env and Energy, Agri ans Rural Development, Culture, Social Justice, Gender and De-Centralization) and on these topics it was resolved that an Million Dialogue such as “Hamara Desh” to be carried in near future with Cader camp at National Level. The AIPSN office bearers also visited Nagwain unit on 1st August, 2015 and appreciated the work being done by the organization.

1.3 HGVS State Conference,11-13 September:
The organization participated in the state conference of Himachal Gayan Vigyan samithi which was held at Bilaspur, Himachal Pardesh from 11-13 September and presented the activities of the organization for further linkages for rural livelihood entrepreneurship.

1.4 Workshop on Forest Policy for Himalaya States:
The Organization participated in regional workshop held at HFRI Dehradun from 5-6 October, 2015 for Himalayan states to share the field experience and role of technology and delivery for addressing rural livelihood conservation issues in context of North- Western Himalayas.

1.5 UNDP/GEF/SGP Meeting/MOA, 15-16 Dec, 2015
The organization presented the proposal in the expert team of Small Grant Programme of UNDP, title as Up scaling of pine needles and other biomass based pine needle briquetting technology through women based community organizations in Hilly areas of Mandi District of HP, which was approved by the team and organization made the formal MOA.

1.6 Peoples Science Movement and Institution Building Workshop
The two days workshop from 30-31 March, 2016 was held at JNU, in collaboration with Grass Root Innovation, New Delhi on Peoples Science Movement and Institution Building. The organization presented the experiences on rural technology and livelihood having past experiences and movement building.

1.7 Rural Technology Workshop at Dehradun
The four days workshop was held at Dehradun in collaboration with CTD, New Delhi from 27-30 April, 2016 in which various issues concerning strengthening the existing organizations for technology extension, finding new PSM units for horizontal expansion and its linkages were discussed.The participants were asked to submit their action plan in consultation with their respective states in coming months.

1.8 Group Monitoring Workshop on Core Support Group
The group monitoring workshop on Core support grant was held at BAIF, Pune from 13-15, May, 2016, the organization presented the progress of core activities made during 3 years of 2nd phase core support. The expert rated the overall performance of the organization as “Very Good” with some observation/suggestions for taking care during the implementation of core activities.

1.9 AIPSN camp at Panchmahri.
A three days PSM cadre camp was held at Panchmahari, Madhya Pradesh from 21-23 July, 2016 in which present socio, economic, education, health, environment etc. challenges were discussed and a National vide yearlong campaign on “Sabka Desh Hamara Desh” shall be launched from 7th Nov, 2016 in which dialogue and exhibition to be carried out at Dsitt/Block/Panchayat level.

1.10 Rural Technologies Incubators Workshop
A annual conference of incubators and strat up was held on 10-12 September, 2016 at Pune with a theme on “Powering start up enablers: Incubators, Accelerators, Innovation Cluster, Co-working Spaces” being organizaed by ISBA, Pune , and organization participated being a core group of DST in panel discussion and show case the innovative products during the workshop.

1.11 Rural Technology workshop at IRTC.
A workshop on rural technology was held at IRTC Palakkad from 10-12 September, 2016, a follow up of Dehradun workshop and mainly on making toilet soap and other toiletry products. The review of Dehradun workshop was followed by visit to IRTC division and Meenvallam Mini Hydel project implemented under IRTC consultancy and separate brain storming on coordinated research on rural technology and expansion the network among likeminded group to either take up the technology or extend the rural technology was discussed and same to be invited in upcoming meet/AIPSN congress.

2. On-going Projects:

2.1 Core Support :
During the year the following R&D activities were carried out such as Organic pest’s management and its technology adaptation, technology adaptation of low chilling /dwarf varieties, diversification in to Low calorie fruit Jam/spread Cosmetic Products, Pectin preparation from apple pomace, tricho-derma Isolation, production & application in vegetable crops., intra Core visit/Collaboration and two publication on Face Scrub and Face Moisturizer were prepared. The group monitoring workshop on Core support grant was held at BAIF, Pune from 13-15, May, 2016, the organization presented the progress of core activities made during 3 years of 2nd phase core support. The expert rated the overall performance of the organization as “Very Good” with some observation/suggestions for taking care during the implementation of core activities.
2.2 River Rope Way :
A workshop on Up gradation of River Rope Way was held at IIT, Mandi on 6thFeb, 2016 under the chairmanship of Dr Rajneesh Sharma, school of engineering, IIT Mandi , and other participants include IIT research scholars, JLN Eng College, Polytechnic college, HPPCL, Mechanical Div PWD and STD attended the workshop. it has been decided that IIT, Mandi will help in conceptual designing, site selection for establishment of river rope way by using remote sensing, JL, Engineering College, Sunder Nagar will help on solid work modeling by using CAD models through students assignments and Polytechnic College, Sunder Nagar will help in fabrication and prepare prototype model at lab scale.

2.3 UNDP-Pine Needle Briquetting Project :
The proposal was presented in the expert team of Small Grant Programme of UNDP, through CEE, New Delhi title as Up scaling of pine needles and other biomass based pine needle briquetting technology through women based community organizations in Hilly areas of Mandi District of HP, which was approved by the expert team and organization made the formal MOA and women SHG`s are being formed and shed in three locations, further hand on training is also imparted for fine needle briquetting.

2.4 NEAC-2015-16 (Dhar, Rewalsar) :
The organization participated in National Environment Awareness Campaign, NEAC-2016 with focus on combating desertification, land degradation and drought in collaboration with HP state council for science technology and environment, Shimla, in which one day awareness camp was held followed by plantation drive for proper utilization of waste land at Dhar, Rewalsar, Mandi H.P. The final progress report with audited accounts has also been submitted to State council.

Activities/Programmes since last AGB Meeting :

1. The STD Mandi signed a MOU with IIT Mandi on 19th Nov, 2016 regarding river rope way technology to seek technical collaboration for up-gradation of River Rope way system.

2. Participated in India International Science Festival (IISF) from 9-12 Dec, 2016 at Delhi. A team of STD Mandi had participated in this programme, displayed its activities in the exhibition on this occasion and also held discussions with different organizations and officers from DST, DBT etc.

3. Workshop on livelihoods at CORD, Dharamsala on 10th-11th Dec, 2016 organized by STARS Forums was attended by Joginder Walia from STD and he also gave a presentation on the activities of STD.

4. MOA was signed by HFRI, Shimla on 26th Dec, 2016 to provide technical collaboration in solid briquetting for upcoming NHMS proposal.

5. STD personnel’s visited CORD, Dharmasala from 7th-8th Feb, 2017 and interacted with CORD team regarding rural development activities being under taken by them and to establish further linkages.

6. Spot evaluation of Pine Needle Briquetting project was done by CEE/SGP members from 26th-27 th Feb, 2017. Two member team visited Nagwain station to evaluate this project and they also gave suggestions for extension of this project in new areas.

7. On 4th March, 2017 IIT’s professor Dr Derik P Sukla and his PhD student had visited STD, Mandi to see ongoing activities of the organization. Dr Shilpa Sharma, a scientist of STD has raised a issue of water quality in the area and ask them to look forward to submit a joint proposal to resolve this problem. STD had collected water samples from different location of Balh valley and the sample were get checked for the different impurities by IIT, Mandi and also seeking report of water samples from Chennai for the same.

8. Review workshop on SGP/UNDP projects at CEE, Ahmadabad 15th-17th March, 2017 was attended by Joginder Walia and Bhupinder Mehta. They presented the progress of Pine needle briquetting project and exhibited the work being done by organization and also presented the idea for up scaling of activities.

9. STD singed a MOU with IUCN, New Delhi on 20th March, 2017 to carry out the activities in nursery raising, vermi-compost and village development plan in three location of Fojal area of Distt. Kullu, HP.

10. AIPSN EC meeting held at Guntur, AP on 9th-10th April, 2017 (SDHD) was attended by Joginder Walia in which “Sabka Desh Hamara Desh” campaign was discussed and future plan for upcoming Science Congress to be held at Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

11. HARC team visit to STD field station Nagwain on 22nd April, 2017 and oversee the activities in Farm sector and discussed the mutual cooperation

12. IIT, Mandi Students has visited STD Mandi and its field station Nagwain on 29th April, 2017 and oversee the activities of the organization.

13. A team of STD led By Dr Shilpa Sharma and Hem Raj has attended the workshop on CSR funding being organized by HCL on 2nd May, 2017 at Chandigarh.

14. CATAT/IARI workshop on Seed propagation programme on 5th May, 2017 was attended by Joginder Walia and last six month progress was presented during the meet.

2. On-going Projects:

1. Core Support :
During the last year R&D activities like adaptation of low chilling / dwarf varieties, diversification in low calorie fruit jams and biscuits, cosmetic products, pectin preparation from apple pomace, trichoderma isolation, intra core visits, preparation of face scrub and moisturizer has been carried out by the organization. The progress report along with SOE/UC for the year 2016-17 to be sent.

2. Mr Bhopinder participated in XI ISBA conference & Maha Innovation Summit held in Mumbai on 10th-12th September as a core Support group of DST and presented the work being done by the organization

3. The organization also participated in IISF from 7th-11th December in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan pavallion and also exhibited rural technologies being developed through Organization.

2.2 River Rope Way system :
A review meeting was held at IIT Mandi on 17th Nov, 2017 in which IIT, Mandi agreed to provide final machine design by July, 2017 and discussed to have competition which shall be organized in the month of July for concept design for up-gradation of river ropeway system among engineering students from different institutions with technical support from IIT Mandi. The mid-term progress report along with SOE/UC to be submitted for year 2016-17.

2.3 UNDP-Pine Needle Project :
A midterm annual progress report along with SOE/UC have been submitted to CEE , New Delhi from 1st Jan, 2016 to 31st December,2016. The midterm monitoring and evaluation has been completed on 27th-18th Feb, 2017 by Mr Anil Arora and Swati from CEE, New Delhi. The organization has also participated in the review workshop on SGP/UNDP projects at CEE, Ahmadabad 15th-17 th March, 2017. This workshop was attended by Joginder Walia and Bhupinder Mehta and presented the progress of Pine needle briquetting project and exhibited the work being done by organization and also presented the idea for up scaling of activities.

2.4 CTAT/IARI trials :
The organization has distributing seeds among farmers and last six month progress was presented during the meet during CATAT/IARI workshop on 5th May, 2017 and was attended by Joginder Walia.

2.5 IUCN-Fojal Water Shed, Kullu area :
The organization have signed a MOU with IUCN, New Delhi to carry out the activities in Nursery raising, Vermi-compost and village development plan in 3 location on 20th March, 2017 in Fojal area of Distt. Kullu, HP. It is being resolved to appoint Mr Ramesh Kumar as Research Associate, keeping in view his experience in social sector for more than 20 year in the organization to carry out the desired activities in the project.

Progress/Activities

22-23 May, 2017 :
Time learn review meeting was held at WII, Dehradun and progress made in River Rope way was presented and expert committee advised to make progress as per time line of the project.

29-30 May, 2017 :
Core Group monitoring workshop was held at Lucknow on 29-30 May,2017 in which the progress made from 2013 till date was presented and further proposal for extension of the project for next 2018-23 for 5 years was also presented during the meeting.

4-5 August, 2017 :
UNDP/SGP/CEE team Led by Jaison Vergese visited the pine needle briquetting project area in Nagwain field area and saw the work being done by the organization. The team asked to complete the remaining work by December, 2017.

10-12 August, 2017 :
AIPSN north India cadre camp was held at New Delhi from August 9-12, 2017 which was attended by DP Gupta and Joginder Walia.1-2 September, 2017 : AIPSN EC Meeting was held at Delhi to discuss about Sabka Desh Hamara Desh campaign and follow up national workshop Bhopal Jan Utsav during 26-28 November, 2017.

12-13 November, 2017 :
An seven members DST expert team visited STD field stations Nagwain and Malori to have on spot review of activities under core support programme. The team advised to submit the Core Support proposal for next 5 years for its approval.

28 November, 2017 :
UNDP/SGP/CEE team led by Mrs Swati visited the Nagwain field area and see the project activities being implemented by the organization. The team advised to have further enhancement proposal for wider replication.

7-8 December, 2017 :
Group monitoring workshop was held SUKAST Jammu on December 7 and 8 in which progress on river rope way model was presented. The expert team advised to prepare the 2nd prototype in consultation with IIT Mandi by Feb, 2018.

18 December,2017 :
A meeting was held with IUCN official at Delhi in which the progress made till December was presented and further agreement has also been reached with IUCN for extension of the project for next three month from Jan to March,2018 and April to Dec, 2018.

30th December, 2017 :
AIPSN EC Meeting was held at Delhi on 30 December at New Delhi in which details regarding upcoming All India People`s Science Congress schedule to be held at Bhubneswar from 9-12 February, 2018 was discussed and STD assigned to present the income generating technologies being done by the organization.

1.10 Rural Technologies Incubators Workshop
A annual conference of incubators and strat up was held on 10-12 September, 2016 at Pune with a theme on “Powering start up enablers: Incubators, Accelerators, Innovation Cluster, Co-working Spaces” being organizaed by ISBA, Pune , and organization participated being a core group of DST in panel discussion and show case the innovative products during the workshop.

On-going Projects:

1. Core Support :
During the last year R & D activities the organization have been involved in new range of products diversification in development of Natural cosmetic products viz; natural hand Moisturizer, Face Moisturizer, Cracks heal cream, Face scrub, face pack & Shampoo. Extraction of Pectin Powder from apple pomace have been developed for extraction of pectin from apple pomace. Various physical as well as functional parameters were studied in our laboratory & fruit processing unit for suitability of pectin for Jam/Jelly making. Organic Pest’s Management and its technology adaptation in vegetable crops, a comparative study on effect of chemical & organic pesticidal formulations is being carried out at STD field station Nagwain in vegetable crops. Diversification in High Density Plantation of apples (As per recommendation of Expert Committee) Technology adaptation of delicious apples on Semi-dwarf & dwarf rootstocks is being carried out in the field trials Preparation of herbal soaps using local natural resources, we have develop soaps using local raw materials having different functional properties, natural coloring & essence materials. Various plant materials such as Aloe vera gel, wild apricot oil, wild marigold oil, soap nut extract, Tulsi extract etc and further to be continued in 3rd phase also. Development of nutraceutical/functional foods: Biscuits from nutritionally rich local Vegetables (Spinach & Cauliflower) & apple pomace in combination with flours of wheat & traditional millets. Enrichment of fruit drinks such as apple, Mango & Litchi which has viscosity problem with pectin solution from apple pomace. Technology improvement and Scientific validation of traditional fermented beverages in L & S area of H.P. e.g. Ark, Anguri & Chang/Lugri. Design & fabrication of emulsion making unit with variable duties. Herbal Soaps based on wild apricot oil & natural saponins from soap nut using natural aromatics. Technology adaptation of High Density Plantation of apples on root stocks using drip irrigation system. Organic integrated pest control (IPM) using Meliaazadirach & cow urine at Farmers field.

2. River Rope Way :
During the year a model of up-graded river rope was developed but it could not functioned sue to heavy weight of trolly as the steel support system failed and could not hold its weight. The team of experts from DST also suggested during their visit in November, 2017 to prepare designs of piers and asked IIT, Mandi to develop light weight up-graded model of river rope way. A Virtual model of river rope way is prepared with blue print has been prepared and further computer aided design of prototype-I, (up graded model) has been prepared under consultancy of IIT, Mandi and further light weight CAD model has also been prepared & has been sent to IIT Mandi, Professor HN Chankya, expert committee members, DST for its approval, comments & suggestions. IIT Mandi has also prepared a model which is under execution. A cad model of steel support system (Piers) has been prepared after consultation of IIT. A design of RCC Piers is also being prepared by IIT Mandi after surveying actual site. A Group monitoring workshop was held SUKAST Jammu on December 7 and 8 in which progress on river rope way model was presented and expert team advised to prepare the 2nd prototype in consultation with IIT Mandi by March, 2018.

3. IARI seed trials :
TThe organization carried out the trial demonstration of wheat, branjal and bottle guard being supplied by IARI, New Delhi during Rabi/Kharif in Nagwain field area and the outcome was satisfactory among farmers especially spinach cultivation.

4. IUCN Fozal Water Shed, Kullu area :
Development of 16 Community based village development plans by undertaking community consultation, social mapping and planning for adaptation to the climate change issues in the area, 19 village house hold survey completed and village plan are being prepared, Focus group discussion and village profile, water shed data, panchyat plan collected. Plan for adaptation to climate change issue in the proposed watershed is being prepared. Pilot on Agro-forestry (Piloting of 1 community nursery (30,000 plants) run by women SHG for fodder tree species) 8500 Nos of plants to be distributed as per demand Viz; Apple, plums, pears , peach persimmon, pemongrate, devdar and kosh as on today 3200 fruits plants has been procured for further distribution. Pilot on organic farming to raise traditional crops with organic farming, vermin compost pits of 10 Beneficiaries has been completed and organic inputs has been distributed in collaboration with Agriculture department. Repair work of water channel for development of watermills and Micro hydero in Dhobi, Kullu, MOU signed with PAN Chakki SHG. Repair of channel and leveling work has been completed as per design of IUCN consultant. Promoting sustainable energy: installation of biogas (20), Roof Top Solar (1), and distribution and use of LED bulbs in pilot villages Finalization of beneficiaries in consultation with Grass root NGO`s for 17 bio gas plant already erected and 3 are under progress. Selection of community roof top solar in process to be completed by end by March, 2018 2000 LED Bulb has been procured and 1850 LED bulbs already distributed in 12 wards and rest are in progress and another 2000 No LED has been procured and in process to distribute by March, 2018.

5. Tissue culture on Cherry root stocks :
The project have been approved in December, 2017 for 3years and organization have started the repair of already established infrastructure and transformation to plant tissue culture laboratory and advance order for purchasing of all instrument and equipment’s.

6. Pine Needle Briquetting CEE/SGP :
UNDP/SGP/CEE team visited on 4-5 August, 2017 in pine needle briquetting project area in Nagwain field area and saw the work being done by the organization. The team asked to complete the remaining work by December, 2017 and asked to submit the final progress report and SOE, which have already been submitted to CEE Delhi.

Project Submitted/Pipe Line.

1. S&T intervention in Leather Craft :
The formal approval of the leather craft Chamba have been received for next 3 years from DST and 1st installments is awaited in December to carry out the activities of the proposal.

2. NMHS GP pant institute, Almora on women’s group enterprise :
The proposal was submitted to NMHS , GBPIHED, Almora in Janaurauy 2017 but due revamping of NMHS scheme the steering committee have put in hold for its consideration.

3. Core Support Phase-III, 2018-23-DST :
The Core Group monitoring workshop which was held at Lucknow on 29-30 May, 2017 in which the progress made from 2013 till date was presented and further proposal for 5 years was also presented during the meeting and the following activities which have been targeted to be carried out for next 5 years (2018-23) and the same have been recommended by DST expert team who visited the organization at Mandi 12-13 Nov, 2017.

4. The organization has submitted the details for Empanelment of agencies for Strat-up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) program through EDI which is awaited for its recommendation.

New Project to be submitted/Pipe line

Beekeeping and Beekeeping in Banjar Area. The updated on line proposal to be submitted in DST for its approval.
The following new proposal are being planned and to be submitted:
1. Up scaling of Pine Needle Briquetting-UNDP/SGP
2. Cosmetic Products using local materials
3. Soap making using wild apricot