Relevance:

• GS 3 || Science & Technology || Achievements of Indians

Why in news?

Bioengineered Liquid Cornea Technology can give vision to blind people.

Bioengineered Liquid Cornea:

• The bioengineered liquid cornea is a regenerative treatment and this biopolymer acts as a sacrificial matrix for accelerating the growth of host tissue to cover the wound site.
• The trigger for this growth is provided by a bioactive component, the exosomes which are delivered to the wound site, embedded in the biopolymeric matrix.
• These exosomes are derived from the population of predominant cell types in the cornea and are programmed to promote scarless wound healing, to restore vision, the primary function of the cornea and eye.

About Welfare technology:

Introduction:

• Knowledge of digitalization, as well as an understanding of its meaning in terms of ethical principles and ethical analysis, is required for the application of e-health to produce high-quality, equal-opportunity health and well-being, as well as to build and improve individuals’ resources in order to increase their independence and engagement in society.
• The purpose of this research was to conduct an ethical analysis of welfare technology deployment in areas of social services in a Swedish municipality, taking into account both techniques and instruments.

Technology and development:

• In today’s world, governance is undergoing a tectonic change as technology is integrated into every aspect of government operations and service delivery.
• ICT and internet penetration have aided in making governance more open and responsible, as well as boosting accessibility and removing human interface, hence reducing corruption. The JAM trinity and DBT initiatives have aided in the weeding out of bogus recipients, as well as better targeting and utilization of government funds.
• The flagship MGNREGA program has been reinforced with end-to-end computerization of beneficiary identification, master rolls preparation, job distribution, and wage payment, as well as asset geo-tagging.
• Agriculture is being transformed by technology, which is improving resource utilization through the Soil Health Card, increasing productivity through knowledge dissemination via an online portal, increasing returns on produce through market integration via the digital platform eNAM, derisking business through insurance, and better estimating losses, among other things.
• ICT is lowering transaction costs in the public utility sector, such as bill payment, grievance redress, and banking, and thereby saving public money while improving convenience.

Technology development in different sector:

The government has increased its use of technology in the administration in recent years in order to provide excellent governance. In this context, the government has taken the following steps toward sectoral development:

• Education Sector;
  • SwayamPrabha is a collection of 32 DTH channels that broadcast high-quality educational programming to help students better grasp subjects through curriculum-based courses.
  • Teachers can use Diksha Portal to make their classrooms more digitally friendly.
  • Shagun is an online monitoring site that aids in the assessment of educational institutions’ performance and advancement.
• Social Sector;
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is a mechanism for transferring subsidies to direct beneficiaries, thereby reducing leakages in the system and saving the government money.
  • Tele-Law was established at CSC to give legal assistance to underserved populations and citizens in remote locations via video conference. It is a free legal service that is made available to the common man.
  • Women’s empowerment websites Sakhi one-stop center and SHE Box, where women can get therapy and file complaints about sexual harassment in the workplace, respectively..
• Agriculture sector;
  • By connecting 585 APMCs around the country, NAM has created a market for agricultural goods. It makes it easier for farmers to sell their products and ensures that they receive the best possible price for them without the need of a middleman.
  • Soil Health Cards, which contain information on the soil, make it easier to learn about the macro and micronutrient levels of the land. He will be counseled on fertilizer usage and crop variety cultivation.
• For Better government:
  • Corruption and duplicity can be reduced by using unique biometric identifiers. Illegitimate recipients may be denied access to numerous social programs.
  • A portal such as cVIZIL can be used to detect MCC violence during elections.
  • Electronic Toll Collection-Fastag use RFID technology to allow drivers to pass through toll plazas without having to stop for cash transactions.

Advantages of technology adoption:

• Satellite Technology: It has aided in the prevention of agriculture losses, the loss of life during disasters, and the prediction of climate change, among other things.
• Improving Farmer Income: E-nam, organic farming expertise, digital connectedness to villages, and other initiatives are helping to achieve the goal of double farmer income by 2022.
• Women’s security: She-portal, himmat app, and other initiatives have aided in assuring women’s safety, as well as increasing their involvement in the workforce.
• E-way bill: It has aided in the reduction of logistic costs and the prevention of tax evasion, thereby broadening the tax base.
• Corruption: The use of jam has aided with the direct transmission of benefits, which has helped to plug leaks.
• Cashless economy: UPI, BHIM app, and other similar services have benefited in the reduction of corruption and the flow of black money, resulting in increased economic growth.
• National security: the employment of spy satellites such as RISAT, drones, and other means of surveillance has aided in keeping an eye on the enemy and preventing terrorist infiltration.
• Strategic significance: India’s development of ICBMs, IRNSS, nuclear submarines, and Tejas aircraft, among other things, has given the country a strategic advantage in geopolitics.
• Education and Healthcare: The use of tele-education, tele-medicine, and other similar technologies has aided in the provision of high-quality services to the poor.

Conclusion:

By altering the information order, technology has permitted more citizen participation in governance. The government is no longer the sole owner or disseminator of information. Civil society has been integrating around the world, resulting in cross-border mass movement that is in line with the changing nature of society. As a result, technology has evolved as a new tool for social equality and justice.

Mains oriented question:

In India, technology is transforming the way the government designs and implements programs. Discuss.(200 words)