excerpt from another book in work, Fireflies of creativity: nature has never anything too much: Around 1995, we decided to develop a series of film on creativity and innovation at grassroots. These were the first films on the subject and Jayantibhai Patel, a young producer was very enthusiastic about this partnership. For shooting the story…
Eating pakodas sans oil: challenging young minds In a month’s time, it will start raining. Many of us will then relish pakodas with a cup of tea in the moist evening. Can we then wish to have pakodas without oil sticking to them, conscious as we all are now a days about cholesterol and excessive…
An open letter to emperor Ashoka Respected Emperor Ashoka You were the pioneer king who despite being very cruel earlier had a change of heart and became one of the most benign, considerate and just king in Indian History. One of the your earliest edicts was discovered at girnar in Gujarat which had an advice:…
‘I am the flute, music is thine’ Knowing how little I know about the science of architecture, I was intrigued when I was invited to talk about grassroots innovations to a very interesting, intriguing and inspiring meeting of some of the world’s most famous architects. Rauzia Ally, half Kashmerian, HALF Keralite , and Guyanese in…
Though National innovation Council has not studied the role of standards in promoting and influencing innovation eco-system yet but I do feel this is an issue which we can not ignore any further. What standards do is to make it obligatory for the users to conform to them and thus expand the creative space. If…
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards 2012 Winners Sristi’s techpedia.in Social innovations- Award Winners 1. Vardaan: Stair climbing wheelchair Wheelchairs are extensively used by disabled people to enhance their personal mobility. One of the basic problems of user on manual wheelchair is overcoming architectural barriers like kerbs stairs etc. on its way. Vardaan facilitates climbing up…
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards given recently provided solutions but also raised questions about the technological interpretations of Gandhi. My dear friend, Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar mentioned several characteristics that may qualify an innovation to be Gandhian. Dr. Mashelkar stressed very poignantly that, “peer parai jane re” i.e., ability to understand the pain of others was…
Gandhian Awards 2012 Winners Sristi’s techpedia.in Social innovations- Award Winners 1. Vardaan: Stair climbing wheelchair Wheelchairs are extensively used by disabled people to enhance their personal mobility. One of the basic problems of user on manual wheelchair is overcoming architectural barriers like kerbs stairs etc. on its way. \”TextThis wheelchair titled vardaan aims to solve…
Celebrating innovations: Unleashing imagination The six biennial grassroots innovation award was given by the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil recently at President House. Out of the last five awards, the four were given by the former and current Presidents of our country. This was the first time when award function itself was held at President…
We have all been fascinated in our childhood by chasing the fireflies in the late evening and night. The fireflies of creativity and innovation are obviously not visible in the day time, though they illuminate their surroundings the same way as they do in the night. Perhaps, the darkness which makes them visible signifies the contrasting eco systems. Over the years,…