Gorakhpur, Apr 7 (Reporter) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday urged technology institutes to look beyond their campuses and contribute to society and the nation. Speaking at Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT) during a function organised to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of 13 development projects worth over Rs 91 crore, the CM said, "While technology eases life, its high cost limits. institutions should lead in creating affordable, practical and sustainable solutions." Highlighting the importance of inclusive innovation, he said, "When technology is expensive, it becomes inaccessible to the common people." He called for affordable, sustainable solutions in key areas like housing, environment, and sanitation, urging institutes to develop technologies that empower citizens to build eco-friendly, low-cost homes. Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Yogi said, "The government provides Rs 1.20 lakh for constructing a house in rural areas. Can we develop technology that allows a house to be built within this amount and in just three months instead of nine?" He also raised concerns about the environmental impact of traditional construction methods like brick kilns, stressing the need for alternatives. He advocated modern innovations rooted in indigenous techniques for effective solid and liquid waste management. The CM said that the affordability of technology is crucial because government funds come from public taxes. "The money the government spends belongs to the people. It is our responsibility to ensure this money is used effectively for their benefit. Affordable, sustainable technology is vital to ensuring ease of living for all. Equally important is that we control technology; it should not control us," he said. He highlighted how technology has transformed governance. Citing examples, he mentioned the transparent distribution of free rations to 15 crore citizens, made possible through tech-enabled systems. "In 2017, when 80,000 fair-price shops were inspected in a single day, 30 lakh fake ration cards were discovered," he said. Yogi pointed out how the government raised monthly pensions for the elderly, destitute women, and differently abled individuals from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 while eliminating corruption by directly transferring the amount to beneficiaries' bank accounts. While highlighting the need for affordable and sustainable technology, he cited the indigenous water purification method adopted by the Municipal Corporation in Gorakhpur as a notable example. He recalled how the National Green Tribunal had imposed a hefty fine on the Corporation for discharging untreated wastewater from the city directly into the Rapti River. In response, officials initially proposed setting up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for Rs 110 crore. However, upon reviewing the proposal, the CM suggested exploring an Indigenous, cost-effective alternative. He said, "This local solution, based on a natural filtration process using boulders, stones, and vegetation, was implemented at just Rs 10 crore. The treated water now meets environmental standards. This innovative model has since been presented before NITI Aayog and has garnered appreciation even from technologically advanced countries like Germany, which are known for their stringent environmental standards," he said. Discussing the rapid evolution of technology, Yogi emphasised the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Quantum Computing in addressing modern challenges. He mentioned how some municipal bodies already use robotic technology for sewer cleaning and stressed the need to develop more affordable models to make such solutions accessible to the general public. Reflecting on India's historic leadership in education and technology, he said, "India was once a guiding force for the world and known as the 'Vishwa Guru'. Before the 16th century, India accounted for over 30 percent of the global GDP; before the 10th century, our share was even greater, more than half of the world's GDP." The CM pointed out that from 1947 to 2014, India remained only the 11th-largest economy in the world. "But over the past decade, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has rapidly advanced to become the fifth-largest economy. During the COVID pandemic, while many global powers struggled, India stood strong, providing free ration, testing, treatment, and vaccines to its citizens," he said. He expressed confidence that India will become the third-largest economy in the world within the next two years. "Today, India’s growth rate is ahead of many developed nations. We are forging ahead with a renewed identity, and once again, India is on the path to global leadership," he said...////...