NEW DELHI: With the government likely to launch the Smart Cities Mission later this month, a RSS-affiliated body is pitching in with ideas and suggestions that the concept promoted by the government should be based on indigenous solutions.
RSS body Vijnana Bharati, an organisation working in the field of science, is holding a two-day seminar in Mumbai starting Saturday where some of the leading industrialists and experts will debate the vision for the smart cities. Urban Development minister Venkaiah Naidu, whose ministry is piloting the project, will be the main speaker during the seminar, while Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis will also participate.
RSS sources said that they have discussed the idea of smart cities with Naidu earlier and suggested that local solutions and traditions be kept in mind while developing these cities. The government should not merely aim to emulate Singapore, but also keep in the local technological solutions and needs while designing these cities,” a senior RSS leader linked to Vijnana Bharati said.
The body has even floated a special website where suggestions related to ‘Bharatiya’ concepts be incorporated for the new cities. “Building just a society signifies something more than mere administration of laws. It means every individual; group of community must get a fair treatment and a just share of the fruits of development,” says the concept note for the smart city developed by Vijnana Bharati. It added that as urban areas consume more natural resources, it creates a rift with the rural areas. “...discordant relations among different social groups and eventually be seen as a lop-sided growth promoting injustice”
“Any urban vision that ignores the social realities will generate cities with islands of prosperity that will survive amidst a general squalor...our cities must address critical issues like affordable housing, healthcare, education, skill development and general quality of life,” the note added.
The two day conclave would have separate sessions on physical infrastructure, social infrasturctuire, environment, technology and governance.
Among the key speakers during the two-day conclave in Mumbai would be S Ramadorai, Chairman, National Skill Development Agency, Dr Madhav Chitale, former Central Water Commission chairman, Dr V K Saraswat, former DRDO chief and member, NITI Aayog, Dr Satish Wate, Director, NEERI.
From the industry attending the Sangh function would be Ajit Gulabchand CMD HCC, Dr Rajeev Lall, CMD, IDFC, Aniruddha Deshpande, CMD, City Corporation, Arun Nanda, Chairman, Mahindra Lifespace Developers, Ashwin Shroff Chairman, Excel Industries, Devidas Kulkarni, South Asia Head, Siemens Building Technology, Dr Rishi Bhatnagar Global Head - Digital Enterprise Services at Tech Mahindra, Rajesh Ramachandran, President, Rolta, Venkatesh Valluri, Ex-CMD Ingersoll Rand, Anita Arjundas , MD Mahindra Lifespace Developers. Dr Uday Salunkhe, Director, Welingkar Institute.