Anil Gupta speaks on behalf of those in villages and slums who have solved their local problems, ingeniously, without outside help. “I realized I am an exploiter,” he says: His own success is based on knowledge he learned from many people — people who remain anonymous and unacknowledged. If India wants to be a knowledge society, it must give recognition to those whose ingenuity has taught us how to solve these specific problems. He started Honey Bee Network to help spread great, local ideas to the world, while giving those who generate them the proper compensation — in such a way that the “flower doesn’t mind that the pollen is taken.” Honey Bee Network wants to create markets for artists, craftsmen, inventors — so people can be paid for what they are good at, not what they are bad at. The poor have needs, too — needs that must be met efficiently, and in no reduction in quality or safety. None of us should be so nationalistic to believe that all good ideas come from our own country. Standing ovation. Visit Anil Gupta’s homepage >>
06 November 2009
The Buzz: Anil Gupta finds innovation by the poor, for the poor
As the founder of the Honeybee Network, Anil Gupta and his team search the world for low-cost innovations created out of the necessities of poverty. Today, at TEDIndia, he energizes the audience by animatedly explaining his creative model and showing the amazing inventions they’ve come across. His enthusiasm was infectious and it shows in these reactions:
Very excited for Anil Gupta’s talk. He’s done amazing things with the Honey Bee Network (www.honeybee.org) — vercheesey
“The minds on the margin are not marginal minds.” – Anil Gupta of the Honeybee Network — annekejong
Anil Gupta destroys Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, were sufi saints of India rich? The poorest cld crave self-realization. — seeb
Anil Gupta – more optimism – cooker for coffee – wow! Mistry take notice — Udindex
Anil Gupta at TEDIndia: Scalability shouldn’t be the enemy of sustainability — infosys
“Give me a place to stand and I will move the world” -Innovation Advocate Anil Gupta. His work is amazing! #TEDIndia — leighleighsf
This man deserves more than just a standing innovation – truly awesome, immensely inspiring !! Anil Gupta at TEDIndia —pkgulati
Photo: TED / James Duncan Davidson
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Anil K Gupta
