The jury on steel

Seventeen jury members may be a bit of a handful, but if the result is a "hype", as Deepika Jindal expects, then the logistics might just have been worthwhile.

For, not only has the chairperson of the lifestyle product division of Jindal Stainless Ltd had to co-ordinate between a clutch of high-profile architects, designers, artists and sundry other professionals, she's also had her hands full sifting through the almost 200 entries for the three categories of Stainless Innovation Awards for practising professionals as well as for students.

It isn't the first year the awards are going out, but "this year they've been turned into an event", says Jindal who also heads Art d'inox, the designer range of stainless steel home, bath and office accessories.

The Stainless Innovation Awards are being given for innovation in use of steel in building and architecture, in interior design, and in product design.

In each category, professionals get to gain a trophy and Rs 1 lakh as winners, and Rs 75,000 as runners-up. Student winners will strike gold with Rs 50,000, while the runners-up get Rs 25,000.

"I'm hoping the awards will bring stainless steel under the spotlight and help change its image as a modern lifestyle product," she says.

The jury has met and the results will be announced at a mega-event on November 6. Though the jury might have met and announced its decision in the case of the awards, the results will decide whether the jury's still out when it comes to using steel in architecture, interiors or for product design.