PRESS NOTE
The Honey Bee Network Creativity and Inclusive Innovation Awards (HBNCRIIA) 2024 were held on 29th November 2024, starting at 11:00 AM at the India International Centre, New Delhi. As a key highlight of the People’s Festival of Innovations (PFoI) 2024, the event celebrated and recognized grassroots innovations that address critical societal challenges while fostering creativity and inclusivity. The awards honored innovators whose work has the potential to create significant community impact and beyond.
In collaboration with Amazon, GIAN (Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network) spearheaded a nationwide campaign to source innovative ideas from across India. The campaign garnered an overwhelming response, with 2,500 entries submitted from diverse regions during 2023-24. After meticulous evaluation, 120 ideas were initially shortlisted based on creativity, feasibility, and potential impact. Following regional meetings and further reviews, 33 ideas were selected, and 15 finalists were recognized at the award ceremony.
Award Winners and Highlights
– First Prize (₹5 Lakhs):
– Shri Suneel Singh from Kistwar, J&K, a former soldier turned farmer, for developing a new walnut variety (“Suneel SI”) with a reduced tree height (25 ft vs. 50 ft traditionally). This innovation increases yield, starts bearing fruit in just three years (compared to eight traditionally), and offers premium-quality soft-shelled walnuts.
– Second Prize (₹3 Lakhs):
– Shri Samirbhai Ghani from Banaskantha, Gujarat, for creating a farmyard manure spreader that evenly distributes both wet and dry manure, reducing drudgery and improving soil fertility.
– Third Prize (₹1 Lakh):
– Md. Ishfaq Ahmed Wani from Anantnag, J&K, for inventing a branch clipper to secure fruit tree branches, preventing damage from hailstorms and snowfall.
– Appreciation Awards (₹50,000 each):
– Twelve grassroots innovations, including the Automatic Feed Machine for Differently Abled Persons by Nabajit Bharali and impactful solutions like Golden Feathers and Fasal Amrit, were recognized. (Detailed list available in Annexure 1.)
Jury and Dignitaries
The esteemed jury, chaired by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, included prominent figures such as Prof. Bharat Bhaskar (Director, IIM Ahmedabad), Prof. Dhar (Director, AcSIR), Dr. M.N. Patel, Prof. Udai Desai (Former Director, IIT Hyderabad), and other faculty members from premier institutions like IIMs, IITs, IISc, as well as leading investors and practitioners.
Awards were presented by Dr. R.S. Paroda, former DG ICAR, in the presence of Dr. Renu Swaroop (Former Secretary, DBT), Dr. Swati Basu (Former Scientific Advisor, Office of the PSA), and Prof. Anil Gupta, founder of the Honey Bee Network, GIAN, SRISTI, and NIF.
Key Remarks
– Dr. R.S. Paroda highlighted India’s transformation from a food-deficient nation to a food exporter, crediting innovations by scientists and farmer innovators. He emphasized the importance of policies like PPFVRA in preventing biopiracy and called for creating a “network of networks.”
– Dr. Renu Swaroop likened the collaboration between grassroots and deep-tech innovators to rivers merging into the sea of knowledge and innovation.
– Anita Kumar, representing Amazon Community Impact (APAC), reiterated Amazon’s commitment to fostering global innovation and empowering grassroots innovators for a sustainable and equitable future.
– Prof. Anil Gupta underscored the rigorous review process behind the awards and emphasized that the event marks the beginning of a sustained journey to support grassroots innovation.
Outreach and Future Plans
According to Dr. Anamika Dey, CEO of GIAN, the campaign received entries from 28 states and 4 Union Territories, covering 226 districts. GIAN and the Honey Bee Network will continue to provide voice, visibility, and velocity to grassroots solutions.
Entries are now open for the 2024-26 HBNCRIIA Awards, which aim to create opportunities for grassroots innovators to connect with investors, policymakers, and technical experts.
About GIAN
GIAN (Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network), established in 1997, was India’s first incubator for grassroots innovations. Supported by the Gujarat government, SRISTI, and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), GIAN has nurtured hundreds of grassroots innovations. The organization is committed to promoting affordable, inclusive solutions that address societal challenges.
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Contact Information:
📞 Phone: 9537574742
📧 Email: ceo@gian.org
For entries: hbncriia@gian.org
