About the Conference
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by International Community in September 2015, seek to address issues relating to hunger, poverty alleviation, democratic governance and peace building, climate change and disaster risk, and economic inequality [1]. The SDGs and targets are intertwined. Almost all the SDGs relate to sustainable agriculture. The pathway of linkage is either direct (like in the case of SDG 2 on ending hunger and achieving food insecurity) or indirect like SDG 8 on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (which can only be achieved if agricultural growth encompasses marginal and small farmers, women farmers etc.). Many countries of the world have started including these into their national development frameworks, action plans and budgets.
The 2030 Agenda and its enshrined goals, embracing the economic, social, and environmental perspectives of sustainable development provide a historic and promising opportunity for the well being of the world’s future generations and the planet.
Knowledge AgricultureTM is a process which uses technology and tools such as Greenhouse, IOT (Internet of Things), Robotics, AI (Artificial Intelligence), UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) and specialized software for weather modelling, smart zone seeding, fertilizer modelling, Country’s income is directly related to education of its people and ICT penetration. The focus area is education and skill development. The challenge with the informed society is to communicate with people in their own language and impart knowledge and skill to enable them to earn their livelihood and improve their living conditions. Execution of technology assisted knowledge & skill development projects and their sustained monitoring for many years by us showed inspiring changes in rural behavior and willingness of learners to adopt the new technology. In the conference we shall debate on few tools and technology that can be used to attain SDG2030 especially for agriculture and education.
This conference focussed on use of technology such as Cloud, New Media, Internet, Broadcasting including Community Radio for achieving the SDG2030 in long term and accomplishing the mission set by our honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to double the income of farmers by 2022 and skill the youth for generating employment.
The Conference brain stormed to select the right technology to be used by various nations of the world to achieve SDG2030. VIPs such as H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeo Singh, Secretary General, African-Asian Rural Development Organization, Vice Chancellors from several Universities, Agriculture experts such as Dr. R. P. Singh, Executive Secretary, Indian Agricultural Universities Association, Prof M. Moni, former DG, NIC, Media, and Government officials participated. Ms. Aprajita Srivastava, Executive Director, World Development Foundation delivered Keynote. The lectures are being broadcast live in several countries through AARDO /WDF channel and proceedings being published by Lambert, Germany. H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeo Singh, Secretary General, AARDO graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Dr. Peter Chen from the Embassy of Taiwan discussed about the steps being taken in Taiwan.
Background Materials for Panelists and honorable guests
By Dr. H. O. Srivastava, President World Development Foundation
“It is with great pleasure and deep gratitude that I announce the “Life Time Achievement awards” to two most distinguished broadcasters of post-independence era for their tremendous contribution in shaping the course of broadcasting in this country.
The name Padma Shree H. S. Jolly conjures respect and reverence in the minds of many. Padma Shree H.S. Jolly was instrumental in expansion of radio and TV in the country. He is especially remembered for the rapid colour TV expansion in the country by installing 180 TV stations @ of one TV a day, making a world record for which he received the Padma Shree from Govt of India. Sir, there can not be one workshop involving broadcast engineers without admiring your unachievable contribution. you set the path of broadcasting in the country by your untiring effort and great vision. A taskmaster, he executed all the tasks with basic ingredients- consistency and an absolute commitment to excellence. A man of few words and always believing well done is better than well said. Sir, your untiring efforts in the growth and expansion of the broadcasting in this country have touched the hearts of us all and you have shown a path to the future generation.
An important signature in the field of sports commentary, a man to whom the entire nation has lent its ears, a man with a magical charm in his voice, Padma Bhushan Jasdev Singh has the unique distinction of doing commentary of Independence Day functions at the Red Fort for 47 years. In addition, he had made the commentaries of Olympic Games (nine times), Asian Games (six times), World Cup Hockey (eight times), a number of cricket matches and over 250 documentaries. Sir, you not only gave a direction to the way the commentary is done, but you created a passion and patriotism in the field of sports. There are numerous follower and appreciator of your style and charm.
The size and magnitude of contribution of these two visionaries has created a very meaningful impact on the outcome of the broadcasting, on behalf of the people of Broadcast Fraternity, I thank you.
At this occasion, let me quote, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
The footprints left by you shall be followed by generations to come.
World Development Foundation is honoured to bestow upon you the Life Time Achievement awards for most significant contribution in the field of broadcasting in the post independence era.
