Preface

摘要

Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (JSIR) is bringing out this special issue, which contains papers presented at dissemination seminar held at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, during 9-11 September 2010. It is the outcome of three years of collaboration among researchers from UK and India, the broad aim of which has been to create knowledge and develop technologies for the benefit of rural India. The results of the project are presented in this volume under following sections: Section A — Rain fed and wastewater irrigation; Section B — Treatment, conservation and use of brackish groundwater; Section C — Biomass energy conversion; and Section D — Sustainability aspects. Despite rapid economic development in India, there are still many challenges facing rural areas with regard to sanitation, water supply for drinking and irrigation, healthcare and education. There is need to set up more enterprises in the countryside to provide opportunities for employment and to add value to local agricultural produce. Water is a vital resource to sustain rural livelihoods with affordable and sustainable energy being key enabler for rural development.