SVM Monthly Newsletter – January-February 2025

In This Issue

New STEM Educational Lab Launched | STEM Program Expands to 12 Schools in Gujarat | SVM Deploys Air-to-Water Technology | Advancing Agri-Tech| International Student Internship

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As we enter 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to transforming rural communities through innovation and sustainability. Over the past year, SVM has made significant strides in education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure, driven by collaboration and your unwavering support.

At the heart of our work is the unwavering vision of our Chairman, Dr. Anil Shah, whose pioneering spirit continues to inspire the movement. With the steadfast leadership of our CEO, Mr. Vivek V. Shah, and the dedication of our Team across India and the USA, we are making tangible differences in the lives of thousands.

This year, we are excited to expand STEM education by launching a new STEM Education Lab in Shillong and scaling Innovation Hubs in 12 schools across Gujarat. Our commitment to sustainable solutions is reflected in our partnership to deploy air-to-water technology in Meghalaya, ensuring clean drinking water in health centers. We are advancing precision farming with UAV-based hyperspectral imaging to empower farmers with real-time crop health insights. Our Dream Warmer project will introduce life-saving neonatal care technology to combat infant hypothermia in rural India.

But our journey is far from over. The need for innovation and holistic solutions in rural development is more pressing than ever, and we invite you to join this movement. Contributing to our cause enables us to scale our impact, reach more communities, and create lasting change. Join us in reimagining India’s villages as thriving hubs of opportunity and progress.

Thank you for your support and partnership.

Anna Fitter
Executive Director
Smart Village Movement

We would love to explore opportunities to collaborate and align your organization’s goals with our mission. If you’re interested, please reach out to our Executive Director, Anna, at anna@smartvillagemovement.org

In alignment with the vision of bringing early STEM education to the students across India, Smart Village Movement (SVM), collaborating with NECTAR, Curiosity Gym, and IISER Pune, has inaugurated a STEM Education Lab at NECTAR Headquarters, Shillong. This initiative will provide hands-on learning in Electronics, Robotics, and 3D Printing to students from 100 schools, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The lab has state-of-the-art tools, training modules, and year-round mentorship to ensure experiential learning for students and teachers.

Students from Mawngap District Christian Multi-Purpose School, where SVM has implemented STEM programs through the Innovation Hub, showcased their innovative projects at the launch event. Meghalaya Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang and key officials from NECTAR (North East Center for Technology Application and Reach ), DST (Department of Science and Technology), and the Education Department graced the inauguration. This milestone strengthens efforts to bridge the education gap in rural communities and inspire future innovators. Read More

In Gujarat, India, a pressing challenge in education is the limited exposure of children to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Despite Gujarat’s rich legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship, many students lack opportunities for hands-on learning in these critical disciplines, leaving them unprepared for the demands of the 21st-century global economy.

To address this, the Smart Village Movement (SVM) is launching a pilot program in 12 schools in the Narmada district to establish Innovation Hubs. These hubs will provide children with access to tools and resources for hands-on STEM education, fostering an environment where theoretical knowledge is complemented by practical application. Through this initiative, SVM aims to empower students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, laying a strong foundation for a future-ready generation. Read More

Access to clean drinking water remains a pressing challenge in many regions, especially in rural areas. To address this, Smart Village Movement (SVM) has partnered for a pilot project with Maithri Aquatech to implement its revolutionary Meghdoot air-to-water technology in National Health Mission (NHM) centers across Meghalaya. This innovative solution, which harnesses atmospheric moisture to generate potable water, is already being used and tested in Meghalaya’s climatic conditions.

The project includes deploying three units: a 250-liter-per-day machine at the Health Complex, Shillong, and two 60-liter-per-day units at a Primary Health Centre (PHC) and a Sub-Centre. These systems use Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology to extract humidity from the air, condense it into water, and purify it through a multi-stage filtration process, ensuring it meets the highest drinking water standards. The method includes dust and carbon filtration, UV purification to eliminate bacteria and viruses, and mineralization to enhance taste and nutrient content. Read More

In partnership with Bharat Rohan, Smart Village Movement (SVM) has successfully completed a Precision Farming pilot, empowering farmers with advanced UAV-based hyperspectral imaging. This technology has provided real-time crop health insights, enabling farmers to make informed irrigation, fertilization, and pest control decisions. The pilot demonstrated how data-driven farming can reduce costs, improve yields, and enhance sustainability. Encouraged by its success, SVM is now exploring ways to expand precision farming across more regions.

We are also exploring the use of drones for precision spraying of fertilizers and pesticides. Unlike traditional methods, drone spraying reduces chemical usage by up to 30%, ensures even application, and minimizes human exposure to harmful substances. Initial studies suggest higher efficiency, reduced water consumption, and lower labor costs, making it a game-changer for small and large-scale farmers. Read More

Smart Village Movement (SVM), in collaboration with National Health Mission Meghalaya and Global Newborn Solutions (USA), is set to pilot the Dream Warmer intervention in subcenters across Mawkyrwat Block, Southwest Khasi Hills. Upon procurement completion, this initiative, which is scheduled to begin in February or March 2025, aims to combat neonatal hypothermia, a leading contributor to infant mortality and morbidity. By integrating this innovative, non-electric warming device, the project seeks to enhance neonatal care, especially in low-resource healthcare settings.

Neonatal hypothermia, a significant challenge in newborn survival, affects more than 90% of infants in developing countries. Despite the widespread promotion of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in Meghalaya, adequate thermal support remains challenging due to maternal fatigue and environmental constraints. The Dream Warmer, a reusable heat-producing wrap, complements KMC by maintaining optimal newborn body temperature for up to six hours without electricity. Studies in Rwanda and Malawi have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing hypothermia-related risks and improving neonatal outcomes. Read More

At Smart Village Movement (SVM), we believe in fostering real-world learning experiences for young minds passionate about technology, sustainability, and social impact. Roshan Gurjar, an Honorary Scholar at Westminster School, London, immersed himself in an experiential learning journey with SVM with a ground visit to our project sites in Meghalaya. He gained firsthand insights into innovative healthcare, education, and environmental solutions in rural India. Inspired by the depth of impact these programs create, Roshan has been a Young Brand Ambassador in the UK for Smart Village Movement and successfully spread awareness raised funds to help contribute for an SVM agriculture project.

During his internship, Roshan has explored Gramin Clinics in War-War village, where he is witnessing how rural healthcare is being revolutionized with telemedicine and drone-based medicine delivery—the first of its kind in Asia. These clinics, staffed by trained healthcare providers, are providing accessible medical care to underserved communities. “The dedication of these frontline workers in improving lives with simple yet effective healthcare interventions is truly inspiring,” Roshan shares. With 21 such clinics operational, SVM’s telehealth model is ensuring rural populations are receiving timely and efficient medical support. Read MoreRead More

SVM is a nonprofit with 80(G) certification and is also registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. The tax-deductible contributions go directly to fund rural development and empowerment of village livelihoods in pilot areas.

What is the SVM Platform?

The Smart Village Movement platform provides a digital platform for Governments, Educational Institutions, Business Organizations, and Village Entrepreneurs to come together in a collaborative effort to find innovative solutions in rural communities and build ‘Smart Villages’.

Please sign up and access our platform engage with our movement and help us with creative & innovative solutions. Together we are all ‘smarter’.

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www.smartvillagemovement.org

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