UP Holds 'Sashakt Bhavishya' Programme To Accelerate SDGs Through Health, Education & Technology

Lucknow, September 16 - The Uttar Pradesh government is harnessing data, technology and innovation to bolster health, nutrition and education initiatives, aiming to hasten the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On Wednesday, a program named "Sashakt Bhavishya: Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals through Education, Health and Nutrition" was held at Hotel Clarks Avadh in Lucknow, bringing together state government officials and experts from diverse sectors including health, nutrition, education, digital health, artificial intelligence, skill development and public policy.

Principal Secretary, Planning Alok Kumar underscored health, nutrition and education as crucial pillars in achieving the SDGs, advocating for the development of effective strategies through the sharing of successful efforts and innovations. He stressed that leveraging data, technology and innovation can enhance the impact of government schemes.

In the inaugural session, discussions centered on the challenges and solutions in health and nutrition, with Additional Chief Secretary Amit Kumar Ghosh highlighting the importance of data, technology and innovation for better outcomes.

Additional Chief Secretary for Child Development and Nutrition Leena Johri emphasized the need for robust Anganwadi services and the effective implementation of schemes to bolster children's and mothers' health and nutrition. Former NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Paul highlighted the significance of investment in health, nutrition and education for human development.

The panel discussion tackled issues such as preventable deaths, underweight children and stunted growth, with experts Himanshu Burad, Piyush Antony, Dr. Kanika Agrawal and Dr. Alok Saxena proposing the enhancement of health infrastructure and data systems through AI.

The subsequent session shifted focus to education and skill development. Additional Chief Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma affirmed quality education as the bedrock of the SDGs, while Principal Secretary for Vocational Education and Skill Development Dr. Hari Om stressed the importance of aligning skill development with education to bolster employment prospects for young people.

Contributors shared insights on enrollment, retention, digital skills and improved learning outcomes, underscoring the need to adapt to changes in skills, employment and careers in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Discussions also encompassed strategies to accelerate SDGs related to vocational education and skill development.