A foot-operated page-turning machine and a walnut cracker designed to help local manufacturers are some of the interesting finds at this year's Festival of Innovation held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The festival aims at encouraging innovators of all ages by providing them a platform to showcase their creations. The in-resident programme organised in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation also had writers and artistes as part of it.
One of the most interesting products was the page-turning device, created by young Swapnanil Talukdar.
The 19-year-old first year B-Tech student from Assam said his laziness led to the innovation but he is now confident that the device will be of great help to the differently-abled people.
"I first started working on this project when I was in class XI. I am not into books and very lazy by nature. So as my project I thought of creating something which can make the task of turning book pages effortless.
"The machine was electrically operated initially, but to make it easier and convenient I developed a manual version of it and decided to give it a new look, suitable for differently abled people," Swapnanil told PTI.
The young innovator says he is lucky to be a part of the programme and now aims to reach out to libraries, schools and colleges with the help of the government.
Dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, Swapnanil is also working on other projects with his young team in Assam.
Another striking creation was the walnut peeler and cracker, created by Mushtaq Ahmedar of Kashmir.
He took three years to design the electrically-operated machine, which he hopes will help the local manufacturers and reduce the time and effort they put in.
"There is no such machine of this kind anywhere in the world. We have researched a lot and it is the first of its league. After displaying here we have already received four orders. I feel this innovation has huge market and will be a great help," Ahmedar said.
Bamboo splint making machine by Lalbiakzuala Ralte and Lalpiangliana Sailo of Mizoram, N Akthimainthan's hand operated water lifting pump, natural water cooler by Arvindbhai Patel, Vinod Mahadeviah's coconut breaker were other exciting innovations at the festival.
Other than innovators, the festival had a number of writers from the various parts of the country.
Jwishri Boro, from Kokrajhar in Assam, is the first woman writer from the northeast to make it to the innovation program since it started.
A short story and poetry writer, Jwishri said she was lucky to be a part of this program and it has developed a sense of confidence in her as she is also the second woman from the country, who was selected for it.
"I am very happy that I got a chance to come here and meet so many creative minds. It has developed a sense of confidence in me. This journey has been a memorable one. I got a chance to meet the President and the Prime Minister. I gifted PM Modi a signed copy of my book and he accepted it graciously," Jwishri said.
"This helps the children get a good understanding of the
shared histories and how the two religions coexisted peacefully and still hold nostalgic memories," says Gupta.
In the final phase the "Physical Exchange", selected students get to visit their pen friends across the border.
They not only get to meet their friends but also visit the historical monuments, places of interest and experience each other's food and culture.
"This is a life changing experience not only for the children but also for their teachers and principals who accompany them and go back with changed mindsets. Sharing some thoughts of the children who were part of this program," says Tina Vachani, co-founder of the NGO.
"We aim to bring people from disparate regions and cultures on a common platform of peace by identify talent and promote cultural exchange programs by giving a platform to a mix of upcoming and renowned artists from around the globe," Gupta said.
Considering the widespread success of the program it was was expanded to 3500 children from 17 schools across 6 cities.
In 2013 the program spread to over 5000 children from 37 schools and 8 cities of India and Pakistan and the movement still continues with more children participating each year in the program.
The NGO is now working on its future project 'VIRSA' which is collaborating with over 100 schools across the country to promote various forms of Indian culture like classical dance and music as a part of curriculum activity through digital classes.
"We want to introduce the concept of peace and brotherhood at an early stage among the younger citizens by engaging children from schools to interface with their counterparts in different countries to showcase their viewpoints in the conflict ridden countries or regions," says Gupta.
The Intercultural Innovation Award, a partnership between UNAOC and the BMW Group, supports grassroots initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, thereby contributing to peace, cultural diversity and more inclusive societies. Close to 1000 applications were received from more than 120 countries, from which ten awardees were selected across five continents.
