NEW DELHI: Gandhian model of decentralised and diversified innovation-based enterprises is perhaps the best way to solve problems of jobless industrial growth even in emerging economies, President Pranab Mukherjee today said.
“The global economy continues to remain weak. The industrial growth is becoming more jobless in nature, even in emerging economies.
“In such a scenario, the Gandhian model of decentralised, distributed and diversified innovation-based enterprises is perhaps the best way forward to solve the problems,” he said presenting the 9th Biennial Grassroots Innovation Awards here.
Mukherjee said Mahatma Gandhi had always wanted to blend modern science and technology with community knowledge and institutions and his message has become extremely relevant in present context.
The President said National Innovation Foundation has created within the last decade-and-a-half several important conceptual and policy milestones.
“I have witnessed the creativity of children, school and college students, and grassroots innovators. However, the emergence of an inclusive innovation eco-system uniquely suited to India requires several more steps than what has already been taken by the government and civil society,” he said.
Mukherjee said the innovation clubs encourage students to search, spread and celebrate innovations and sense the unmet social needs.
“If the inventory of unmet social and technological needs of 6.5 lakh villages and small towns of India can act as a stimulus for research and project work, nothing can stop India from becoming a world leader in inclusive innovations,” he said.
The President said efforts in this direction will have to
be complemented by deeper processes, which charge the key stakeholders with missionary zeal to make a difference.
Pranab Mukherjee said the institutions of higher learning need to have an interface with grassroots innovators and the academia has to closely study and understand how creative minds among the common man can solve local problems without much help from outside.
“If they can get support from formal institutions, they can do much more. I called upon the higher educational institutions to organise exhibition of grassroots innovation, invite innovators to the classroom and set up innovation clubs,” he said.
Underlining the importance of forming innovation clubs in educational institutions, he said these innovation clubs encourage students to search, spread and celebrate innovations and sense the unmet social needs.
“We should imbibe spirit of scientific inquiry in children. We must encourage them to pursue their curiosity and creativity.” he said.
The President also inaugurated an exhibition of grassroot innovations after presenting the awards. (AGENCIES)
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