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,…
Honourable President gave away the awards today at President\’s house, inspired the innovators through her interactions with them one by one, going into many details. She showed special concern for rained farming. About half of india is bound to remain rain fed. Many times, she recalled that farmers lose their crop because of dry spell…
Learning from African knowledge and innovations: Different countries are at different stages of economic growth and development, but these stages have little to do with the growth of local knowledge systems. Recently held conference of Science and Technology Ministers and secretaries from over 40 countries debated among other things, how can mutual learning take place…
how do we generate hope of reconciliation from the grassroots up, can all those who feel sad about their acts of commission and omission confess their gult and just take a vow to be more humane and kind to each other? can villagers which could not protect innocent neighbours realise that revenge for some body…
I am very happy to invite you to the sixth Biennial Presidential Grassroots Innovation Award on March 9, 2012 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Hon\’ble President will inaugurate the fourth Grassroots Innovation Exhibition at President\’s house near Mughal Garden and give away the awards. The exhibition will be open till 15th March. Kindly let me know…
Next Steps: Nurturing unplanned innovations The response to the column last week was very enthusiastic and I am convinced that the idea of Innovation Park should not be given up. Several colleagues wrote back offering resources, ideas, skills, infrastructure and in some cases, just the spirit. We still have to find locations in Ahmedabad (land…
Should we create an innovation park, or should I/we give up? I normally don\’t start a dialogue on a negative note ever. But permit me to say that i have failed to get powers that be, excited about creating an innovation park in Ahmedabad. Should I give up this dream of fertilizing the mind and heart of…