A meeting of National Innovation Clubs was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday (March 15, 2016) on the fourth day of the ongoing Festival of Innovations (March12-19, 2016).

Representatives from six Innovation Clubs shared their experiences on the occasion i.e. Prof Sameer Khandekar, IIT Kanpur; Dr Pankaj Mehta, Central University of Jammu; Shri SaiKanth Dacha, IIT Madras;Shri Rajat Sanklecha, IIT Tiruchirapalli;Prof (Mrs) Mini Shaji Thomas, Jamia Milia Islamia and Prof. P V Madhusudhan Rao, IIT Delhi.

Presentations were made by technology entrepreneurs Shri Sharad Sharma, co-founder and CEO, Brand Sigma and Shri Vishal Gondal, CEO and founder, GOQii. Shri Sharad Sharma said that if there is democratisation of building blocks, hundreds of experiments to solve problems can become successful.

Shri Vishal Gondal, CEO and founder, GOQii said there is need to apply common sense to technology.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Omita Paul, Secretary to the President said creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups are subsets of the same kind of mindset. She explained how various innovative measures have made a huge difference in Rashtrapati Bhavan and the life of people in the President’s Estate. She gave examples of the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidayalaya, Sewage Treatment Plant, Ayush Wellness Centre etc.

A session on inspiring innovations was organized with participation of academicians, technology business incubators as well as senior officers from India and abroad. The participants included Shri H K Mittal, Head, National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board; Prof. Uriel Reichman, President, IDC; Mr. Marc Prensky, founder, The Global Future Education Foundation and Institute, USA; Prof. John Webb, Research Professor (India engagement), Centre for Transformative Innovation, Australia; Prof. S K Saha, HOD, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Coordinator, Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG), IIT Delhi; Dr. Virendra Kumar Vijay, Head & IREDA Chair Professor, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi.

A poster presentation on outstanding achievements by National Innovation Clubs and outstanding Technology Business Incubators was held.

The fifth day of the Festival of Innovations will witness a roundtable discussion on innovations in medical science and bio-technology,an exhibition of outstanding innovations in medical science and bio-technology and an interaction of scientists with grassroots innovators.

This release issued 1200 hrs.