Thane engineer receives Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award

Thane-based social worker and software engineer Sandesh Kesarkar was awarded the Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award for developing a software helpful to farmers.
Kesarkar, 49, was felicitated at a programme held in New Delhi recently for his technocratic business excellence for developing a software through which farmers can undertake automated farming by gathering important information.
Talking to reporters here today, Kesarkar said he was thankful that his efforts were recognised.
Explaining the working of the software, Kesarkar said that by installing the software, one can do farming through cell phone or a tablet even sitting away from the field.
"A mobile network at the farm or field is necessary. There is a data processing unit installed in the SIM card of the device, it can a mobile, laptop or tablet. The card will acquire data like weather conditions, humidity, water required, among others and the same is transmitted to the person's mobile phone or device at the other end," he said.

Following which, one can give instructions to farmers at the field.
The engineer also runs NGO Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan in Konkan region.
"We have introduced co-operative agriculture and milk production in Chiplun and Kasarda village to help farmers be self-sufficient so that they do not have to come to cities for employment," he said.