By Aparmita Das | Shillong
Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the theme “G20 University Connect: Engaging Young Minds” at North-Eastern Hill University here, on Friday. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Chaturvedi emphasised the importance of youth involvement in economic reforms, India’s global role, and international development cooperation. He encouraged students to take initiative and create solutions, exemplified by his response to concerns about waste management and power cuts in Shillong.
During an exclusive interview with The Meghalayan, Chaturvedi provided valuable insights into the integration of sustainable development into the economic growth plans for Northeast India.
“Economic development is intertwined with our efforts for conserving biodiversity and ensuring development that is sustainable,” he said. He said that there was a need to ensure sustainable development without eroding the region’s biodiversity base or compromising its long-term viability.
Rather than simply focusing on infrastructure development, such as road networks and industrial zones, he advocated an approach that considers livelihood opportunities, the plurality of human resources, and the delicate balance of species. “The goal is to achieve development that brings sustained welfare to all stakeholders while preserving the unique environmental heritage of the North East,” he said.
When asked about the potential opportunities for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors specific to Northeast India, such as tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy, he said, “The scope is huge, and that gives us opportunities for creating more jobs, particularly with improved connectivity. Take tourism, for example. With digital and infrastructure connectivity, there is a lot that can be achieved in terms of tourism-related services and value-added deliveries.”
He highlighted the untapped potential of the region’s agricultural resources, specifically mentioning the example of pineapple production in Meghalaya. He wondered why Meghalaya’s delicious pineapples were not reaching other parts of the country and proposed value addition through processing. “If we do value addition, it can bring in technology that can enhance the shelf life of such processed products.”
He drew attention to the success of countries like Thailand in making significant progress in this area and said that there is interest from Thai companies, but the matchmaking and infrastructural constraints are hindering progress.
Addressing the challenges, he stressed the need to correct infrastructural constraints and improve connectivity to effectively tap into these opportunities.
When discussing the support mechanisms and funding options available for infrastructure development and connectivity projects in Meghalaya and Northeast India as a whole, Chaturvedi remarked, “The key is in terms of connectivity. Once physical infrastructure improves, digital connectivity improves, you would see a transformation through digital payment architecture, among several other dimensions.”
He also shared an enlightening observation regarding the rapid pace of digitisation in Meghalaya. He cited statistics, saying, “Just before I came to Meghalaya, I was trying to see how much digital sort of transaction is there in Meghalaya. So I was seeing something like in November 2022, the volume of transactions was two lakh which was worth almost Rs 21 lakh. And in April 2023, the transaction volume was 3.57 lakh worth Rs 30 lakh. So within one year, you find the volume of transactions almost doubling in Meghalaya.”
Emphasising the significance of inclusive development, he cited the importance of involving all communities, particularly the tribal communities that have been marginalised from the mainstream of economic development. He highlighted the need to build inclusive processes that instil belief in the power of development and the ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Speaking about the potential contributions of the G20 University Connect programme, he said the idea is to capture the imagination of India playing the global role. “Everyone has a stake in this process, and they should realise that stake,” he said.
He further highlighted the relevance of G20’s discussions and themes to the local context. He explained, “G20 is discussing the cost of digital transactions, waste management, climate change, access to technologies, accelerating sustainable development goals (SDGs), promoting women-led economic development, and prime minister’s vision of a lifestyle for involvement. These topics are directly linked to each individual and our local conditions.”
Regarding plans to promote research collaboration, entrepreneurship, or innovation within the region through the G20 University Connect initiative, he affirmed the significance of research collaborations as a pathway for progress. He stated, “The research collaborations are indeed the modality that would take us forward.”
His remarks shed light on the broad scope of the G20 University Connect programme, emphasising its relevance to individuals and local conditions. By participating in research collaborations and engaging with the G20’s discussions, young minds can develop the skills and capacities needed to contribute to global issues and drive innovation within their communities.