Kendrapara, Mar 18: In a major stride towards rural development, the coastal village of Kushunupur in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has been selected as a ‘Smart Village’ under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) initiative, bringing hope and excitement to local residents.
The initiative aims to promote scientific innovation, advanced agriculture, rural empowerment, improved nutrition, and technology-driven leadership. Kushunupur is one of six villages nationwide chosen as model “Smart Villages,” alongside Bhada in Gujarat, Chumathang in Leh-Ladakh, Joharat in Assam, Janakpur in Madhya Pradesh, and Sawaipura in Rajasthan.
Under the “Lab to Land” approach, CSIR scientists will introduce innovations to enhance livelihoods and infrastructure, turning the village into a “live laboratory” for testing and implementing scientific solutions. A team of scientists has already begun interacting with villagers to understand their lifestyle, challenges, and local resources, with support from local voluntary organisation Nature’s Club.
Nature’s Club Secretary Madhusmita Pati said, “Scientific innovations developed in CSIR laboratories across the country will be implemented in Kushunupur. If successful, these models can be replicated in other regions.”
Kushunupur, comprising 135 families with a population of 738, faces issues such as drinking water shortages, limited irrigation, low agricultural productivity, youth unemployment, and inadequate school infrastructure. Residents expressed hope that the project will provide opportunities for employment and help in marketing locally produced goods.
CSIR Odisha laboratory Director Ramanuj Narayan highlighted the village’s unique geographical conditions, including its proximity to forests, rivers, and the sea, as a key reason for its selection. He emphasised that a “smart village” is not only about digital technologies but also about building knowledge, skills, and improved education for children and women.
Kendrapara Collector Raghuram R. Iyer, who laid the foundation stone for the project, said CSIR’s 16 specialised laboratories cover sectors ranging from agriculture to livelihoods. Training programmes for farmers and villagers are expected to begin next week, along with initiatives such as waste recycling, plastic-free campaigns, awareness drives, and economic empowerment through scientific interventions.
The Smart Village project is expected to significantly improve quality of life in Kushunupur and serve as a model for rural development across the country.
