Indian innovators receive accolades in grassroots and student innovation categories at the ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum, fostering collaboration in Science, Technology, and Innovation.
In a commendable display of ingenuity, Indian innovators excelled at the 4th edition of the ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF) hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). The event, which concluded on November 30, 2023, witnessed participation from 11 countries, including India and 10 ASEAN Member States.
The grassroots innovation competition saw Mr. Dipak Bharali from Sualkuchi, Kamrup, Assam, India, securing the 1st prize for his groundbreaking Weft Insertion Device. Meanwhile, Mr. Sunil Shinde from Jalna, Maharashtra, claimed the 3rd prize for his innovative Silkworm Breeding Net Folding Machine. In the student innovation category, Ms. Aanchal Aggarwal from Delhi was honored with the 3rd prize for her remarkable creation, Parkinson Lathi.
These talented individuals had previously garnered recognition from the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) through various state and national-level competitions for grassroots innovations. Mr. Bharali and Mr. Shinde received state awards during the 5th and 11th National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards, respectively. Ms. Aggarwal had also clinched the INSPIRE MANAK in the 10th NLEPC held in October 2023.
Key dignitaries, including Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) of the Government of Malaysia, and Dr. Arvind Ranade, Director of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, presented awards to the winners. Notably, the event saw the presence of 17 Indian innovators, along with Dr. Sulakshana Jain from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
The AIGIF serves as an annual platform promoting collaboration in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) between India and ASEAN Member States. This year’s event included speaker sessions, panel discussions, an innovation exhibition, and two competitions – Grassroots Innovation and Student Innovation. The program, a collaborative effort between the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), DST, NIF – India, and MOSTI, was executed by Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), an agency under MOSTI.
Grassroots Innovation Competition:
| Prize | Innovator’s Name | Country | Title of Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr. Dipak Bharali | India | Weft Insertion Device |
| 2 | Mr. Chatchai Deesawat | Thailand | EV Ever-Green |
| 3 | Mr. Sunil Shinde | India | Silkworm Breeding Net Folding Machine |
| 3 | Mr. Rusdi Bin Mohd Rifin | Malaysia | Compact Semi-Auto/Manual Sate Skewering Machine |
Student Innovation Competition:
| Prize | Innovator’s Name | Country | Title of Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kawinnart Pongmesa | Thailand | Organic Sanitary Pads From Plant Fibers Coated With Kaffir Lime Extract |
| 2 | Huda Solehah Muhammad Sallehuddin | Malaysia | Ruboba & Ruscrub |
| 3 | Aanchal Aggarwal | India | Parkinson Lathi |
Source – PIB
