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Creativity Flows at the Innovation Foundation |
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At NIF, the focus has always been on helping grassroot innovators. This month, the staff at NIF themselves tried their hand at innovations during a competition held for the staff on Innovation and Creativity Day. The staff were required to come up with innovative ideas for devices which would solve some day-to-day problems.
Thirty five entries were received from the staff. The innovations pertained to a range of daily problems. For instance, there was an entry for a spell checking pen (1) and another for rewritable paper (2). There were suggestions for spectacle wipers and umbrellas with lights (3) which would be particularly useful during the monsoons. Some of the entries like the braille printer (4) and a travel kit for the disabled (5) were designed for the benefit of people with disabilities. Entries of household interest included an entry on the use of whey for cooking (3) and knead rolling and baking machine (6). Vehicle drivers would benefit from a suggestion to make the car steering similar to that of a two wheeler (2) and a suggestion for automatic dimmer of headlights as vehicles pass each other (7).
A couple of ideas for innovative use of solar energy included using solar powered mosquito mats (8) and solar powered photo voltaic cells as circuit breakers (9). Another interesting idea was the creation of database of animal diseases to provide ready information as and when required. (10).
The entries were judged in a democratic way. The winner was Mahesh Patel, who had designed an innovative cap-cum-collector. This device was created to solve the problem of contamination of drinking water stored in earthen pots and jerry cans, by the use of a ladle to lift the water. Frequently, these ladles were kept outside the pots and become dirty and contaminated. In this device, a cup is attached to a sieve which is then attached to the cap of the pot or container through a rod. The rod is long enough to reach the bottom of the pot. When the cap is lifted, the cup gets filled with water and lifted. It can be used to pour out water. The use of the ladle is totally avoided. Since the cup and the rod are both inside the pot, they do not get easily dirty or contaminated.
The second prize went to an idea for a tooth paste dispensing toothbrush, suggested by Manish. The third prize went to an idea for an automatic commode lifter and closer suggested by Darshini.
The contest was an opportunity for the staff to personally explore
their creativity and the satisfaction derived from the process of innovation and reaffirm their commitment to the cause of grassroot innovations. |
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| Volume No. |
Honey Bee, 16(2):14, 2005 |
