Anil K. Gupta an independent thinker, activist for the cause of creative communities and individuals at grassroots, tech institutions and in any other walk of life committed to make this world a more creative and collaborative place Visiting Faculty, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad [after teaching at IIMA for 36 years, 1981-2017] Distinguished Visiting faculty,…
Service to strangers Sanjay and Tula, an engineer and a computer professional, got together several years ago to bring about a small change in the world through Vishwagram, Yuvagram and Karunagram initiatives. They decided not to seek any funds from private or public sources, national or international agencies. Their belief was simple, if they are…
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…
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,…
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…
Emerging auto innovations at grassroots: an inspiring story of Nasirbhai With the news of Maruti setting up another plant in Gujarat, it is beyond doubt that Gujarat is emerging as a leading auto hub of not just India but may be, south and southeast Asia and eventually world. But there…
Conserving vultures through a tree climber, spreading clay nest for birds The cross fertilization of ideas across the country has continued unabated, despite lack of physical exhibitions of grassroots innovations in different parts of the country. Earlier, a Rs. 5000 bamboo windmill innovation by Mehtar Hussain and Mushtaq Ahmed from Assam got transferred to Gujarat…
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…
Engaging with one of the fastest growing economies of Africa: Ethiopia A country where seventy percent students in higher education pursue a future in science and technology with only thirty per cent in humanities has shown a healthy irreverence for global models of development. It has pioneered several other models of future growth which defy…