Grassroots innovation challenges A large number of grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge practices have been scouted through the Honey Bee Network. And yet, many everyday life problems still remain unresolved. The list below gives an idea of some such unsolved problems which are in need of urgent solution. We have to parameterise the problems,…
SOUTH AFRICA: Intellectual property rights failing Sharon Dell 17 July 2011 Issue: 18 South Africa\’s current intellectual property rights regime is failing to support the national system of innovation and is actively disadvantaging local inventors while facilitating exploitation by foreign interests, according to new research to be published in the September edition of the South African…
Why persist with neglect: polytechnic colleges deserve more attention I mentioned last week how small towns were producing big innovations, how small institutions were producing big minds and even bigger hearts. Concern for social needs whether of small industry or informal sector is not found universally among all social, professional or educational segments. But those…
Small town, big mind One of the most important characteristic features of innovation eco system emerging in India is that lot of good ideas are found in small institutions in small towns. The connect between the real life problem and the pursuit of their solution seems quite high in such places. In Gujarat, the cooperation…
Indicators for the Assessment of the local and indigenous innovation[1] Anil K Gupta[2] The search for inclusive development indicators [IDI] through synergy between different ways of knowing and understanding the interface between natural and social resources, institutions, technologies and organizational arrangements is a very timely and relevant initiative of UNESCO. The increase in social aspirations,…
Every time we walk through the villages, forests and the fields, we are struck by the culturally diverse institutions of conservation but also of conflict. While walking through the Ranchi region from Silly to Sundru early this month, we were impressed by a large number of ¬¬old trees all through the way in the villages. But,…
Inverted Model of Innovation: children inventors Mohamad Sajid Ansari, a student of class seven had observed his mother Mrs. Robiah Khatun cleaning the rice every day. Some of the rice gets broken while beating the paddy seeds in the manual husking device. Some impurities and inert materials also get mixed. Most of us have…
world-class academic performance, but without a world class mindset? there has been a debate recently about the quality of research and its impact. I will not deny that there is huge need for quality improvement in research and its theoretical, applied and other social and policy impacts. But how do trigger processes which breed impatience in…
Nurturing excellence in institutions of higher Nurturing excellence in institutions of higher education > > Recently, a statement by a Cabinet Minister has triggered country wide > debate about how have IITs and IIMs earned their reputation. The > argument is that these institutions are respected because of the > quality of the students and…
The DIPP has specifically invited comments/views and suggestions backed up by facts, figures and empirical evidence by June 30, 2011 on Section X. We encourage our readers to post their comments to the issues listed below. Section X lists out the followings issues: 1. Does India need a Utility Model Law? 2. What should be the scope of protection…