Instituted by the Marico Innovation Foundation, to acknowledge the exemplary efforts of the Indian innovators, who have made a real difference to the nation
The third edition of the ‘Innovation for India Awards 2010’, instituted by the Marico Innovation Foundation, culminated its journey, honouring the achievements of a multitude of ingenious minds, behind ‘India’s Best Innovations’. The evening was a stimulating experience, for the power packed audience of 500 industry stalwarts, dotted with innovations that challenged existing norms.
Eminent industry leaders like Mr. Sam Pitroda (Advisor to PM on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations), Dr. R.A. Mashelkar (Chairman, Marico Innovation Foundation & President, Global Research Alliance & CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow) Mr. Rajan Bharti Mittal (Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises) and Mr. Harsh C Mariwala (CMD, Marico & Founder Member, Marico Innovation Foundation) also shared their insights on making India, an innovative landscape.
This year’s selection of awardees showed the very best face of Indian inclusive innovation. Bharti Enterprises bagged the ‘Global Game Changer Award’, for the telecom revolution in India. In the business category, Reliance’s KGD6 won for their combined synthesis of advanced technologies, extreme engineering, innovative execution, yielding unprecedented results and impact on India’s energy security. The diversity of Indian innovation was evident from Tutor Vista Global Pvt. Ltd.’s initiative, also a winner in the business category, which converted face-to-face personalized tutoring into a virtual personalized service.
In addition, the ‘Innovation for India Awards’ also acknowledged breakthrough innovation, in various social and public service sectors. Goonj’s exemplary efforts of providing access to reusable clothing to the needy, was an excellent social example, of bridging the gap between the urban and the rural. This project ensured continuous resourcing and demonstrated a practical solution, for NGOs and village communities, to emulate and replicate on their own. PRS Legislative, was also a great social innovation in its domain, for being the first port of call, for credible information on Parliament and Legislation, for MPs, journalists and citizens groups.
In the category – Business for social, Tata Chemicals and TERI, were jointly recognized for its unique innovation - Greening of Malara: Solid Waste Dump Site. The highly alkaline and saline site of Malara, was transformed into a green cover, with a living eco system, using bio fertilizers and bioremedian techniques. If replicated, this could contribute to environment tremendously.
This year, the new category of Public Services Awards, saw a number of effective innovations that displayed brilliant examples of inclusive development. Post a challenging shortlisting process; the jury finalized two innovations viz. Jyoti gram Yojana and Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) innovation in Ladakh.
A revolutionary initiative by the Government of Gujarat, the Jyoti Gram Yojana, has brought about power and irrigation reform in the region. This scheme is a pioneering management of electricity and groundwater found nowhere else in the world. In order to facilitate the socio-economic development in Ladakh, the DIHAR initiative helped the army and local inhabitants to join forces and implement an inclusive model, leveraging the platform of science and technology.
The ‘Innovation for India Award’ winners were shortlisted, through a rigorous 4-stage selection process, by an eminent external jury and facilitated by Erehwon Innovation Consulting.
About Marico Innovation Foundation
Under the leadership of stalwarts like Dr. R A Mashelkar, the Marico Innovation Foundation focuses on the belief that Innovation is a crucial way for India to leapfrog into the center stage of global business leadership. Over the last seven years, the Foundation has played a catalytic role by disseminating knowledge through cut edge research on breakthrough Innovations. The foundation’s initial aim is to reach the business community, both professional and entrepreneurial. Going forward, the reach envisages expanding to future business leaders and the public.
The Marico Innovation Foundation is steered by an eminent Governing Council that oversees both its vision and direction. The Council is chaired by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar and includes other visionaries like Anu Aga (Director, Thermax), Sam Balsara (Chairman & Managing Director, Madison), Ashwin Dani (Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Asian Paints), Ranjan Kapur (Country Manager - India, WPP), Prof Prasad Kaipa (Executive Director, Center for Leadership, Innovation and Change, ISB), Dr. Sujata Ramadorai (Professor, TIFR), Harsh C. Mariwala (Chairman & Managing Director, Marico), K. V. Mariwala (Director, BOIL), Rajiv Narang (CMD, Erehwon Innovation Consulting) and Dorab Sopariwala (Consultant).
For further information, kindly log on to www.maricoinnovationfoundation.org
