Mumbai: Grassroots Innovation in India and film fraternity bridged the gap today through a fireside chat, a very meaningful interaction indeed at Bhaidas Auditorium in Mumbai. Akshay Kumar represented the film fraternity along with R Balki and Sonam Kapoor from the team of PADMAN whereas 16 innovators (List annexed) who came from different parts of India, belonging to different regions, cultures and age groups, represented Grassroots Innovators.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vipin Kumar, Director, NIF said that Grassroots Innovator of our country believes that nothing is impossible and ensures a strong dimension of inclusivity in it. He further added “Samvedna se Srajansheelta” is the spirit, which drives the action of a Grassroots Innovator, and eventually it benefits the society in multi-dimensional ways.
Akshay Kumar added that usually there is a dearth of exciting scripts that he and the industry at large encounters, however, contrary to this earlier view after interacting with National Innovation Foundation – India and its supported innovators he believe that there are so many scripts around which are worth telling the world with the help of entertainment and film fraternity. Adding to this R Balki said that the world need to know these stories scouted and nutured by NIF more often.
Akshay Kumar observed that there is a grassroots innovator hidden in every city, town and village of India and there is a need that we scout and incubate them in early stages of their innovations. R Balki appreciated the efforts of National Innovation Foundation – India in making this happen for decades now. Sonam Kapoor emphasized on the importance of financing of innovations and getting them commercially and socially accessible to everyone in the country. Responding to this, Akshay Kumar announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to sixteen grassroots innovators present on this occasion today.
The fireside chat session was focused on conversing about the real life of a grassroots innovator and how one overcome all challenges to solve unmet needs of society by innovating and ensure that “Tomorrow” is better than “Today” for everyone in an inclusive manner.
Sixteen Grassroots Innovators shared their stories and thanked National Innovation Foundation – India and Team Padman for inviting them to this one of its Kind Innovation Conclave. Later, each of the innovator was felicitated by a shawl by Askhay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and R Balki. This was followed by unveiling the “Sapne”, an interesting song from the movie which Team Padman dedicated to Grassroots Innovators of the country.
“PADMAN” presents on screen the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a Grassroots innovator turned Entrepreneur supported by National Innovation Foundation - India, an Autonomous Institution of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Movies are a reflection of our society and the unparalleled excitement evinced by buddying innovators and entrepreneurs of the country bears testimony to the fact that India is on a growth trajectory and marching ahead towards a leading economy of the world.
National Innovation Foundation-India is an autonomous Institution of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is India's national initiative to strengthen the grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. Its mission is to help India become a creative and knowledge-based society by expanding policy and institutional space for grassroots technological innovators.
List of Grassroots Innovators at the Innovation Conclave
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Innovation
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Innovator
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State
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Multipurpose Food Processing Machine
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Dharambir Kamboj
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Haryana
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Multipurpose tool - Axe cum chisel cum hammer
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Mohd Rafiq Ahanger
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J&K
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Design Making By Weft Insertion
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Dipak Bharali
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Assam
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Biomass Gasifier
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Rai Singh Dahiya
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Rajasthan
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Portable stove with high efficiency
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V. Jayaprakash
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Kerala
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Mitticool products
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Mansukh bhai Prajapati
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Gujarat
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Manual Waste Lifting Machine
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Sikanto Mandal
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UP
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Bamboo Splint Making Machine
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Paresh Panchal
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Gujarat
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Tractor operated blowing orchard sprayer
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Rajendra Jadhav
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Maharashtra
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Walnut Cracker, Pole Pro
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Mushtaq Ahmed Dar
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J&K
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Multi Tree Climber
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D N Venkat
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Tamil Nadu
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Sandalwood paste making machine
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Subhash Jagtap
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Maharashtra
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Turmeric / Ginger Planter
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Indrajit Balvirsingh Khas
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Maharashtra
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Modified Boiler & Condensate heat recovery system
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Subhash Ola
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Rajasthan
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Automatic food making machine
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Abhishek Bhagat
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Bihar
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Natural Water Cooler
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Arvind Bhai Patel*
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Gujarat
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* Represented by his son Jaymeen Patel
