Page 8 - E- Connect 2021

Innovation

at the Bottom

of the

Pyramid

The inventions were inputs from National Innovation Founda-
tion (NIF), set up by Government of India to encourage and
support grassroots inventions.

Dr.Shikha Jain- Director-IMDR

hen one thinks of 3 Idiots, some of the innovations of knowledge rich,
FACULTY ARTICLES
the bollywood block-buster economically poor grassroots inventors.
movie, one remembers an But without a support network, their dream
Wunderprivileged but daring of seeing these innovations being used
student who survives by his wits and widely and generating income for them
common sense. One also remembers may never materialize. Or worse, they
the scooter-powered flourmill, a cycle- may find another individual, corporation,
powered horse shaver and an exercise or institution developing and marketing it
cycle-cum-washing machine. The without due credit.
inventions were inputs from National
Innovation Foundation (NIF), set up by Several issues emerge from this argument
Government of India to encourage and –
support grassroots inventions. Several
cases of such innovative attempts can • What can be done to support building
be quoted, some officially recorded, and of capacity to produce what communities
some unrecorded. and potential grassroots inventors already
The list of such grassroots innovations know and do?
is long - an amphibious bicycle that is
handy during flooding, a bicycle in which, • What are the possible ways to convert
every time there is a bump or ditch on the grassroots innovations and outstanding
road, the energy is transferred to the rear traditional knowledge into products?
wheel to make it go faster, a tool to climb
a coconut tree, a micro windmill-driven • Can linkages be created with modern
battery charger, use of Tamarind and institutions of R&D to channelize
lemon for pest control, a shoulder rest for technological support and add value
women carrying water, sculptures made to existing knowledge, innovation or
from the secretion of Termites, etc. practices for developing new products/
services for eventual diffusion through
These inventions did not come from commercial or non-commercial means?
universities or research labs. These are

8
2021-2021