Odisha unveils CSIR smart village initiative at Kusunpur: A step toward sustainable rural development
Bhubaneswar, Mar 18 (UNI) The much-anticipated CSIR Smart Village was officially inaugurated at Kusunpur Village, located in the Rajnagar Block of Odisha’s Kendrapara District, on Wednesday.
This initiative marks a significant leap toward leveraging technology and innovation to drive sustainable development in rural India.
The CSIR Smart Village project aims to deliver practical solutions and scientific innovations to rural communities.
It involves a collaborative effort between research institutions, local administration, and various implementation partners.
The goal is to address the unique challenges faced by rural areas through cutting-edge technologies and community engagement.
The inauguration ceremony was organised by the CSIR–Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) from Roorkee, under the leadership of Prof. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla.
It also saw the participation of top officials and experts, including Dr N Kalaiselvi, Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General of CSIR, and Raghuram R Iyer, the Collector and District Magistrate of Kendrapara.
The event was also graced by senior scientists and directors from various CSIR laboratories, with support from administrative officials of the Government of Odisha and project implementation partners such as Santanu Chakraborty, CEO of Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children India), and Madhusmit Pati, Secretary of Nature’s Club.
Notable attendees included Dr Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT in Bhubaneswar, along with a host of scientists, technical staff from CSIR laboratories, and members from local communities, corporate sectors, and industry representatives.
The highlight of the ceremony was the exhibition, where attendees had the chance to explore innovative technologies proposed for deployment in the village.
Additionally, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Kusunpur Smart Village was unveiled, showcasing plans to enhance rural infrastructure, improve livelihoods, and ensure environmental sustainability.
Through this initiative, the CSIR Smart Village aspires to create a scalable and replicable model for rural development—one that blends science, innovation, and community participation to foster resilience and inclusivity in rural areas.
This step toward integrating technology and local governance is expected to serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the country, promoting inclusive development in rural India.
