CSIR-CBRI Hosts Two-Day Training-cum-Planning Workshop on Smart Village Initiative:
The CSIR–Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) successfully organized a two-day Training-cum-Planning Workshop on the Smart Village Initiative at its campus on April 15–16, 2026, in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat (BRB).
The workshop focused on operational planning for on-ground deployment of CSIR technologies and strategies for resource mobilization. The workshop brought together senior officials, scientists, and NGO with the objective of formulating a comprehensive roadmap for the successful implementation of the initiative by 2027.
The programme commenced with the inauguration by Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla, Director, CSIR-CBRI, who emphasized the transformative potential of the Smart Village Mission in driving holistic rural development through innovative and sustainable technologies. He highlighted the critical role of 16 CSIR laboratories in deploying context-specific technological solutions aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas and expressed his gratitude to the Bal Raksha Bharat team for their collaboration and commitment to the mission. Shri Avinash Singh, Director, Bal Raksha Bharat, underscored the importance of integrating social components, stakeholder engagement, and CSR-based funding strategies.
Representatives from CSIR-CBRI, including Dr. D.P. Kanungo, Dr. Nagesh, Dr. Ravindra, Dr. Kishor Kulkarni, Dr. Chandan, Dr. Tabish, Dr. Veena, Dr. Naveen, Ar. Anup, Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Ar. Abhishek Singh, and Ms. Nisha, actively participated in the discussions and made significant contributions toward finalizing the project roadmap.
Similarly, the Bal Raksha Bharat team—comprising Shri Mintu Debnath, Dr. Tanvi Singh Chauhan, Mr. Abhijeet Nirmal, Shri Sanjay Mode, Mr. Naveen Shukla, Shri John Stanley, Mr. Kunal Das, Sh. Sanjay Sharma, and Shri Sandeep Sharma—engaged actively in the sessions, gaining valuable insights into technological solutions and their integration with social development components.
The technical session was led by Dr. Kishor Kulkarni, Principal Scientist, who provided a comprehensive overview of the Smart Village Initiative. He presented the progress achieved so far, outlined the existing challenges in rural areas, and discussed technological interventions proposed by 16 CSIR laboratories. He also showcased the dedicated Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared for the selected 4 villages: Sawaipura (Rajasthan), Kusunpur (Odisha), Janakpur (Madhya Pradesh), and Jonakimondal (Assam).
Subsequently, participants were divided into four thematic groups, each assigned to one village. Through intensive brainstorming sessions, the groups identified key challenges and mapped suitable technologies across sectors such as infrastructure, health and nutrition, agriculture, water management, and livelihood generation. Each group presented detailed strategies addressing village-specific issues, climatic and geographical constraints, socio-economic aspects of proposed technologies. The formulation of a comprehensive deployment plan for these technologies, identification of strategic funding partners, detailed project operational planning, and preparation of the master budget emerged as the key highlights of the discussions.
On the second day, the workshop was further enriched by the presence of Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty, CEO, Bal Raksha Bharat, along with senior representatives including Mr. Kunal Dass, Mr. Sanjay Sharma, and Mr. Pradeep Kumar Mishra. The session began with a contextual overview of the agenda, followed by in-depth discussions on fundraising strategies and partnership development.
A significant outcome of the day was the clear delineation of roles and responsibilities between CSIR-CBRI and BRB teams, ensuring coordinated efforts toward project implementation. The teams collectively developed a robust “Way Forward Plan” for each village, outlining actionable steps, timelines, and operational strategies for effective deployment of technologies in each selected village.
The workshop concluded with an inspiring address by Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla, who articulated a clear vision for the Smart Village Mission and motivated participants to work collaboratively towards achieving sustainable and inclusive rural development. He also express his gratitude to all CBRI and BRB official for being a part of this training program and give his best wishes for the success of this project.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Shantanu Chakraborty reiterated BRB’s unwavering support and encouraged all participants to remain committed and proactive in achieving the mission’s objectives.
The workshop served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, collaborative planning, and strategic alignment, reinforcing the commitment of CSIR-CBRI and its partners toward building resilient, self-reliant, and technology-driven rural communities.
Ishwar Chand reporter Sahara TV Uttrakhand