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Dr A P J Abdul Kalam |
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| Address |
Honourable Former President of India |
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Guest Editorial |
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Iam indeed delighted to write this editorial for Honey Bee. The name is so apt, as it represents how the efforts of many, and many have yielded in connecting innovators at grassroots with each other and the rest of the society. It is a result of the untiring work of the entire team which has achieved this great task with utmost perseverance and diligence. The strong database of more than 100,000 ideas, innovations and traditional knowledge practices from all parts of the country is a testimonial to their untiring effort. My greetings for the mission of finding grassroots innovations.
India is a land, rich in traditional knowledge and scientific spirit and such marvels are and have been there in almost all ages and regions. Honey Bee has done an important task over the years of documenting thousands of these grassroots innovations and providing innovators a unique and indispensable platform to showcase their work to the world.
I was reading the January-March, 2009 issue of Honey Bee. I was moved to read the account of a 110 year old lady, Puriben, in Gujarat. Her never ending spirit to use newer methods as an answer to every problem in her life is an example for all to follow. Her message of keeping oneself always busy in constructive activities and staying away from worry and anxiety is of great significance to our young generation.
I was very pleased to see so many innovations from the land of Champaran. I was particularly amazed at the diversity in innovations, ranging from an electronic mouse trap to a folding bicycle and from a pollution control device to a unique coffee making machine. I observed how need is pushing innovation and how innovation can lead to soothing of sufferings of ordinary people if the inventions are given the shape of cost effective products. That is indeed a great mission.
I feel that the next challenge is finding avenues where these innovations can be applied in practice. A good way could be finding enterprise opportunities for them through initiatives towards PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas). This has to be pursued by various government departments as well as through social responsibility contributions by private corporations. From now moving towards 2020 we will need 7000 such PURA complexes to cover 600,000 villages all across India – each complex customized to the resources and needs of the local region. Innovations have a tremendous role to progress this mission as they have the potential to deliver the best services at affordable prices. They can also generate large scale social welfare and play a larger role in changing the lives of many people.
We also need to find ways to facilitate economic benefits of innovations to be delivered to the innovators. This will come about by a funding mechanism through which sharing of the profits can be managed between the innovator and the entre-preneur; or providing a platform where the innovator can be benefitted directly for the usage of the innovation.
I am also happy to know of the Ignite 2009 awards to acknowledge the efforts of the young innovators in our society. This is especially a significant moment as it heralds the presence of the young, scientific and thoughtful minds in our society which will lead the nation into the next generation. I congratulate all the participants and see a great vision of India led by them.
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| Volume No. |
Honey Bee 20(2); 3, 2009 |
