Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme 2015

What is Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme 2015?

Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India, is a firm believer that creativity and innovation are essential both for human happiness and development. Qualities of contemplation; introspection and reflection are a must for healthy growth of body and mind. In pursuance of this thinking and to encourage the creative and innovative potential of the people, especially the youth of this country, an ‘In-Residence’ Programme at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was initiated. 

The President of India has always held that the Rashtrapati Bhavan belongs to the nation and the people at large. He has taken several initiatives to open the Rashtrapati Bhavan for greater participation and involvement of the common man in its activities. The ‘In-Residence’ Programme will take the continuing engagement of Rashtrapati Bhavan with the people to the next level. 

As part of the 'In-Residence' Programme envisaged to encourage the creative and innovative potential of people and open up Rashtrapati Bhavan for greater participation and involvement of common man in its activities, two schemes were launched by the President on 11 December, 2013 to welcome creative persons - writers, artists and innovation scholars to stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan. This programme has been further extended to NITs Scholars and Inspired Teachers of Central Universities. 

Who can apply for this scholarship ?

With a view to promote the spirit of innovation and give further impetus to the grassroots innovation activities, the Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme was launched. The objectives of the Programme are –

(i) To provide an environment to grassroots innovators in Rashtrapati Bhavan to work on a project in hand and take their innovative ideas forward; 

(ii) To provide linkages with technical institutions to the selected innovators to strengthen their capacity to innovate; and

(iii) To provide mentoring and support so that the innovations can be used for the progress and welfare of the society.

A Committee with the following Composition was constituted to implement the project. 

(i) Secretary to the President (Chairperson)

(ii) Prof. Anil K. Gupta, Professor, IIM-A and Executive Vice Chair, National Innovation Foundation

(iii) Dr. A.K. Wali, Coordinator, FIIT, IIT-Delhi

(iv) Dr. H.K. Mittal, Secretary, Technology Development Board

(v) Dr. Shashi Bala, Director, DIPAS, DRDO, New Delhi

(vi) Dr. Girish Sahani, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh

(vii) Officer on Special Duty to the President (Member-Secretary)

The terms of reference of the Committee are as follows - 

(1) The Committee will scrutinize all applications received for the 'Innovation Scholars in-Residence' scheme.

(2) The Committee will design the framework for selection of innovation scholars for this 'In-Residence' scheme keeping in mind the overall objectives of the scheme. It will give preference to young innovators. It will also endeavor to give a wide geographic representation.

(3) The Committee will shortlist a panel of eight innovation scholars for a year, out of which four scholars will be invited to stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan as an 'Innovation Scholar in-Residence'. The duration of stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan under this scheme will be one month. However, the Committee shall have the discretion to extend the stay for one more month. The time of stay will be decided after consultation with the selected scholars.

(4) The Committee will receive feedback from the selected scholars at the end of their stay, and on the basis of such feedback, will modify / improve the programme as required.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE THIRD BATCH OF INNOVATION SCHOLARS IN-RESIDENCE
The third batch of Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme will be held in March, 2016. The duration of stay of the Innovation Scholars at Rashtrapati Bhavan will be for a period of two weeks commencing from the date of inauguration of the Festival of Innovations (FOIN-2016) i.e. 12th March, 2016.

Applications are invited from interested applicants through the website of the President of India: www.presidentofindia.nic.in. All Indian nationals who have a track record of innovation and implementation of innovative ideas may apply. A Committee will screen the applications and shortlist names for selection as an "Innovation Scholar In-Residence”. The decision of the Committee in all matters relating to selection will be final. 

How can you apply ?

Interested persons may apply in the prescribed format available on the website of the President of India: www.presidentofindia.nic.in. The duly filled-in application along with relevant attachments and a photograph may be submitted online by clicking the link given below http://164.100.23.71/PIS/idea_submit.aspx

Terms and Conditions

Details of first batch of Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme 

The details of the Scheme were placed on the website of the President of India, wherein online application forms were made available. The last date for receipt of applications was 15 January, 2014. 

Pursuant to above, a meeting of the Committee, chaired by Smt. Omita Paul, Secretary to the President, was held on 8th March, 2014 at 1230 hrs at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, the entries shortlisted by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) were presented to the committee members. 

After due deliberations by the committee members, eight Innovation Scholars were selected out of which five Innovation Scholars were invited to join the Programme. Accordingly, five innovators stayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan for a period of 20 days from 01 July – 20 July, 2014. They were - Shri Gurmail Singh Dhonsi who invented Rapid Compost Aerator and Tree Pruner, Shri Dharamveer Kamboj who invented Multipurpose processing machine, Ms. Manisha Mohan who invented Society Harnessing Equipment (SHE), Shri M.B. Avinash who invented Self-cleaning functional molecular material and Shri Tenith Adithyaa who invented Banana Leaf Technology and Adjustable Electricity Extension Board. 

Details of Second Batch of Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme

The applications for second batch of Innovation Scholars were invited online in a prescribed format. The last date for receipt of applications was 30 November, 2014.

All the applications received were examined by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and entries were short-listed after preliminary scrutiny. To further scrutinize these short-listed entries in terms of degree of novelty, potential social impact, cost effectiveness, market acceptability, competitive advantage over existing technologies and user friendliness, a meeting of the Committee, chaired by Smt. Omita Paul, Secretary to the President, was held on 2nd January, 2015 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, the entries shortlisted by the NIF were presented to the committee members. 

After due deliberations by the committee members and also after visiting the exhibition at IIM-Ahmedabad campus, the following ten entries were selected :

1. Priyanka Mathikshara (15 years) – Innovator from Tamil Nadu who invented Super Stocker 3C a Ultra Model Dustbin

2. Mukul Malviya, Diptanshu Malviya – Innovators from Rajasthan who invented Wrapper Picker 

3. Mansukh Jagani – Innovator from Gujarat who invented Bullet Santi a Multipurpose Agriculture Machine

4. Rai Singh Dahiya – Innovator from Rajasthan who invented Biomass Gasifier System

5. Kamruddin Saifi – Innovator from Uttar Pradesh who invented Chaff cutter with clutch and brake system 

6. T.S. Anand – Innovator from Tamil Nadu who invented Prosthetic knee for uneven terrain 

7. Shantanu Pathak – Innovator from Maharashtra who invented Care Mother a Mobile Pregnancy Care Kit 

8. Vikas Karade – Innovator from Maharashtra who invented 3D model generation from 2D X-Ray images 

9. Mohanlal – Innovator from Kerala who invented a reversible Reduction Gear for Marine Diesel Engine and Z-drive propeller 

10. Sarthak Shukla (14 years)– Innovator from Uttar Pradesh who invented a cylindrical shaped refrigerator with rotatory tray 

These Innovation Scholars stayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan for a period of two weeks from 7th March, 2015, i.e. from the date of inauguration of Festival of Innovations, till 20th March, 2015. The In-Residence Scholars participated in the Festival of Innovations during the first week of their stay. 

During the period of In-Residence programme, the Scholars got an opportunity to meet persons of eminence and distinguished persons from India and abroad. They could establish linkages with the government organizations, institutions, industry, academia and other stakeholders.

Excerpts from the President’s Address to the second batch of In-Residence Scholars –

"Creative minds are the real leaders and benefactors of society. The In-Residence Programme is an effort to stimulate their capacity to create through an opportunity to stay together, contemplate and reflect in the serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Rashtrapati Bhavan is privileged to nurture such talented and creative persons who make important contribution to the progress of civilization and culture. The essence of democracy is the liberation of ideas and thoughts. True liberation can come only through creative minds and they must be therefore nurtured and supported.”

Gist of Feedback from the participants of second batch of In-Residence Scholars

The participants mentioned that the programme has transformed their lives. Each one of them would carry memories of their experience in Rashtrapati Bhavan forever. All of them said that they have gained motivation and inspiration as a result of the opportunity to live in Rashtrapati Bhavan. They found it to be a great platform to incubate their ideas and meet experts from various fields.

Important Links

• Apply online link