Innovation Scholars In-Residence Programme 2015

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.