THOUSANDS OF IDEAS BLOOM FROM THE MIDST OF IGNORED, RURAL INDIA
>From Frederick Noronha
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
IN A COUNTRY of over a thousand million, there surely must be tens of
thousands of bright minds churning out innovative ideas by the dozen.
This is just the case, as is clear from the first national-level
exercise for scouting 'grassroots technological innovations'.
Some 96 persons were awarded a total of just over Rs 1.4 million (rpt Rs
14 lakh). The first three prizes given were of Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000 and
Rs 25,000 and nearly one thousand entries poured in from across the
country. Organisers of this event said there were a total of 1637
innovations and outstanding examples of traditional knowledge which they
received.
This exercise was adjudged in June 2001.
New cardamon plant varieties, arecanut de-husking machines, power-saving
pumps, energy-conserving kerosene stoves, highly efficient low-wattage
electric water heaters... these and an amazing number of ideas came
forth in this competition.
It was organised by the National Foundation of India.
"The mission of the NIF is to recognise, respect and reward unsung
heroes of our society. NIF will not rest with only giving prizes. It
will also protect their intellectual property, help in upgrading their
technology, develop business plans and eventually help them (the
innovators) to either license their technologies or become entrepreneurs
themselves," said NIF executive vice chairperson Prof Anil K. Gupta of
the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
The NIF was set up in March 2000 by the Indian government. Its
chairperson is India's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
director general Dr Raghunath A. Mashelkar.
But the efforts also come out from the campaigning over long of people
like Dr Gupta, who has been promoting the idea that even the humble
villager can be very innovative. Dr Gupta has been coming out with a
journal called 'HoneyBee' that looks at innovation from the village.
In this contest, some 998 entries were received from 24 states and union
territories. These, in all, comprised 1637 innovations and "outstanding
examples" of traditional knowledge.
The western Indian state of Gujarat topped with 496 entries. This is not
surprising perhaps since this region has been at the forefront of trying
to dig-up innovative among the common-man (and woman) through
initiatives of various individuals and institutions based at the Indian
Institute of Management-Ahmedabad.
Many of the ideas that came up could have a lasting impact on the lives
of rural dwellers. One was to create an arecanut dehusking machine.
Arecanut currently requires labourous work in its dehusking process. A
North Indian farmer, Ram Naresh Yadav, came up with a power-saving
technical pump. Yet another rural dweller had a pulley with a stopper --
thus making it easier for millions of women drawing water from their
local wells.
Other prizes went to a 'rain gun' called the Chandraprabah Water Gun by
Annasaheb Udgavi.
Sudarshana from South India emerged as the first 'Idea Man'. He had over
two-and-half dozen ideas or innovations to his credit. These included a
small computer keyboard, hot-and-cold engine, transparent letter box,
and even an idea for chopping onions without tears!
Sudarshana's other ideas comprised an automatic gear for a bicycle,
distilling water from the sea, and ideas to reduce the cost of gobar gas
plants. He had a new design for a bullock-cart, and an easy-to-fill
bucket. Steam can also be used as a weedicide, and Sudarshana's ideas
demonstrate how.
A.I. Nadakattan had ten innovations to his credit. Among these was
tamarind cultivation under dry-land cultivation. Likewise, he also had
special ideas on water harvesting techniques, energy-saving irrigation,
a tamarind harvestor, tamarind slicer, seed-cum-fertilizer drill and a
range of other innovations in the pre-harvest and post-harvest fields.
To locate such innovation in a vast country such as India, the
competition made use of 'scouters'. These persons or institutions
scoured the country to find out bright ideas that could make a
difference in the years ahead... specially for the commonman.
Others who won consolation awards included a tamper-proof locking
device. In the field of farm-implements, one Indian farmer came out with
a special cart. Another found ways to create an edible perennial brinjal
variety. On the front of crop-protection, something called the Mukkadaka
decoction -- which is used to control hopper pests in paddy crop -- was
among those gaining notice. So did another farmer's methods of
controlling brown plant hopper in paddy and cotton crops.
The Innovation Foundation says it is working on a 'national register' of
grassroots green technological innovation. It also wants to build
linkages among those excelling in the 'formal' and 'informal' science
and technological systems.
Ultimately, it hopes its efforts would "help India become a global
leader in sustainable technologies". It also wants to protect the
intellectual property of grassroots innovators, and help convert
innovations into enterprise -- and thus generate employment by setting
up incubators for maturing innovations.
The second annual contest has already begun. National Innovation
Foundation executive vice chairperson Prof Anil K. Gupta of the Indian
Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) said: "Anyone who has made some new
and unique technological improvements is allowed to send in any number
of entries to P.O. Box 15051, Ahmedabad 15." Dr Gupta can be contacted
via email at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Largest numbers of entries came from the field of herbal-based animal
health practices (298), followed by plant protection (207) and
plant-protection (175). In addition, other entries came up for sectors
ranging from SSIs (small scale industries), to mechanical devices,
energy generation and conservation, agricultural practices and plant
varieties. (ENDS)
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| Frederick Noronha, Freelance Journalist |
| 784, Near Lourdes Convent, Saligao 403511 Goa |
| Tel 0091.832.409490/ 409783 Pager 9628.312112 |
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/) URL-http://www.bytesforall.org |
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