Recently when I saw a Japanese film, “A stitch of Life”, directed by Yukiko Mishima, I was reminded of a vain Gandhian dream of forging close connections between producer and consumer through customized products and services. A Seamstress, Ichie persists with her vision of tailoring western design cloths using an old sewing machine for her…
There is a very welcome upsurge of entrepreneurial interest among the young people in the recent years. Several initiatives from universities, state and central governments and private sector have been taken to smoothen the journey from mind to market. There is a worldwide interest in the concept of frugal innovation which I proposed in early…
very practical idea, we at Nifindia.org gave an award to school student Moxad for similar idea in 2007 http://www.usmp.edu.pe/pdf/welcome_conti.pdf moxad suggested this in 2006, http://nif.org.in/innovation/generating_energy__from_movement_of_sewage/341 also see another awarded tech on electricity generation from sewage http://nif.org.in/innovation/power_generation__through__sewage-slow__moving__water/49 wish our civc authorities were as responsive as portland authorities are, good luck and congratulations portland municipality http://themindunleashed.org/2015/02/portland-just-installed-water-pipes-generate-electricity.html
1. Developing solutions to Improve efficiency and ergonomics of coconut leaves broom makers – Yash Goyal, Pranav Kaushal, Gunjit Thapar University, Patiala The problems we have identified are in the process of broom making using coconut leaves. These stalks are hand stripped from the coconut tree leaves. For improving efficiency and ergonomics of the process, some…
There are a few institutions which have brought more honour and pride to India than IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, Law schools, IISc, BARC, TiFR, etc. These are the real jewels in Indian crown. Several central universities are equally distinguished. Should a system which works well be the concern of policy makers? Ironically, Previous government started the…
Third creativity camp of disadvantaged and privileged children organized recently at IIMA by the Honey Bee Network threw up surprises again. Once again we learned that as we grow, our ability to perceive the unmet social needs, develop empathetic feelings and convert these feelings into action doesn’t necessarily grow. Can we then listen to the…
I recently realised a paradox in our thinking about designing frugal solutions for contemporary problems. I share it here to reflect and get feedback. There has been a long tradition in our country and many other societies of artists, designers, architects not signing their creations. Unlike the European tradition, where every creation is signed and…
Birds, bridges and beautiful memoryscapes: Shodhaytra in Tripura-II For a long stretch, while walking in Gondacherra region, Dholai district of the state, we did not hear the songs of the birds nor did we see them flying. Later, we discovered that they used to make clay balls,…
Educational institutions are the primary instruments of formatting mind and fomenting turbulence for social change. When we deliberately try to vaccinate such institutions against excellence, and sometimes even relevance, the task of change agents becomes so much more difficult. The efforts for such vaccination have been going on for decades. If despite that India has…
“Will you tell us what medicine you will use for cancer?” when asked, Anant Kumar Chakhma replied, “How can I can your question? Unless I see the symptoms cannot prescribe the medicine, there are different kinds of cancer.” Seldom have we come across traditional healers who are so précis in their pedagogy and have their…