The innovation buzz
The theory behind the coconut plucking machine proposed by the Kerala government has found new propagators in New Delhi. The department of science and technology (DST) has now urged the scientific community of this country to find ways of 'connecting grassroots innovation with innovations that make products globally competitive' so that they compliment one another and do not become competitors.
‘India as Innovation Hub’, a seminar organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI) in New Delhi this week saw the DST secretary T. Ramasami talk of India's diversity in the innovation ecosystem in devising simple, low-cost grassroots solutions. Also, why product innovation must co-exist with process innovation.
However, the government machinery alone is not enough to boost innovation of the kind being exhorted here.
Venture capitals need to take all this where it must reach.
As the Executive vice chair of the National Innovation Foundation Anil Gupta points out, the National Innovation Fund was created to build a national register of innovations, mobilise intellectual property protection, set up incubators for converting them into viable business opportunities and help in taking them to the nook and corners of the country. The innovation database includes information on plant variety, utilities and general machinery, farm implements, energy devices, agricultural and traditional knowledge practices, livestock management, herbal remedies, biodiversity examples, innovation concepts and ideas.
Experts at the seminar also called for creation of innovation clusters, more innovation leaders at all levels of the society, conversion of urgent needs like water, sanitation, accessible health care, education and poverty into national innovative projects and formation of an India Action Council for innovation.
The innovation buzz really seems to be getting the pride of place it deserves and how!
Comments
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Posted by: Aditya Mittal | September 11, 2009 05:54 AM
Our respected ex-president Dr. Abdul Kalam's speech on encouraging science education in India is most welcome. It's natural scientists like him worried about the development of science in India. But in reality, though the number of students opting for science is not depleting, the encouragement from the state and central governments is very poor. For example, Karnataka government announced concessions for girl students opting for higher education. But nothing is implemented yet. Its high time that India thought hard to encourage science education and improve the working conditions of the scientists and pay structure. We have been hearing news of too much brain drain from India. It happens because, the working conditions and pay structures are very poor. The government should keep in mind the cost of living in the cities and the pay scale of these people.
The central and state governments should provide fee concessions to the girl candidates to attract them to science subjects and research.
I also request the intelligentsia in India to advise and guide the state and central governments to pave way for girl students to go for higher studies as well as doctoral and post doctoral studies.
Posted by: Sheik Mehaboobsubhani | September 17, 2009 05:22 AM