Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications
The entire effort of scouting and documentation leads to the development of a database of innovations and traditional knowledge aimed at building the electronic National Register. The process involves using various information technology and database applications for horizontal networking among innovators and traditional knowledge experts as well as other stakeholders. In addition to this, the multi-lingual approach to the database development is the main task ahead. The activities involved are:
- To develop and maintain the multilingual National Register of Innovations (contemporary innovations and traditional knowledge), database management, electronic networking, web based management of value chain for grassroots innovations, coordination with various regional language portals and managing National Grassroots Innovation and TK Management Information System.
- To develop multi language, multimedia kiosks at various public places, educational institutions and local bodies and help establish decentralised Indian language databases of innovations and Traditional Knowledge.
To coordinate dissemination and publication activities of NIF in various languages on line as well as imprinted format.
To manage the archive of all communications and maintain effective touch with latest trends in technologies which can be harnessed in support of grassroots innovators, develop an effective management information systems, design and develop softwares in open source for use by GIAN's and other collaborators,maintain email and webserver, DMS(document management system), websites of NIF and all other collaborators.
Dissemination through Information Technology applications and otherwise:
NIF has taken up several steps to create wider awareness about innovation at grassroots. Some of the steps included use of IT such as:
A multi language, multimedia Honey Bee data base has been contributed by SRISTI to NIF. This has been widely distributed by NIF, along with information on the awardees of the first national competition, to various stakeholders around the country and outside.
NIF has co-sponsored a portal on innovation, viz, www.indiainnovates.com, being developed by students at IIM-A, as a part of their course requirements. This portal has already generated very encouraging response from IIM-A alumni around the world, who were requested to help in building a value chain around green grassroots innovations and it may eventually become a one point stop for any individual innovator in India.
An experimental village kiosk was set up by the Honey Bee network in a village in north Gujarat to learn about the complexity involved in IT applications in villages to promote use and exchange of information about innovations. NIF is exploring the possibilities of replicate this experience in several villages where our collaborators are working and where other institutions are setting up their kiosks.
The NIF website, www.nifindia.org, is being made more interactive so that users can get information quickly and easily.
The software for the National Register has been developed and various collaborators have also been provided the database entry modules in local languages with the help of the Honey Bee network and SRISTI.
Mobile exhibition initiative by SGK, pant Nagar in Uttaranchal SGK modified a traditional 'chhakra' using LPG kit & equipped it with all modern IT features like a projector for presentation & they call it 'SAKSHAM'
Demo Software for Technology Exchange (for online bidding for technologies) has been put up at the web site for testing. SRISTI has helped in maintaining this as well as knownetgrin innovation database so far, on the website with more than 1300 innovations and traditional knowledge examples. NIF will take this effort forward.
A web-based three-language innovation/traditional knowledge entry module has been put on the web site. However, so far only 141 entries have been received through the Web, all in English. About the same number of entries has also been received through email.
Two state government websites, viz, Punjab and Maharashtra, have linked to the NIF site to diffuse our work widely. However, efforts will be made to pursue such linkages with all the state governments and other institutions.
The dissemination of technologies which are either already matured for technology transfer to potential entrepreneurs, or which can be easily matured, has been taken up quite earnestly. NIF participates in various exhibitions and fairs for the purpose. It has participated in the Indian Science Congress held in Pune, New Delhi, Lucknow and Bangalore. In addition, it has participated in the National Agricultural Machineries Exhibition, organised by Karnataka State Department of Agriculture, Ahmedabad Chapter of CII and IIT,Guwahati.
The websites(www.nifindia.org,www.nif.org.in,www.gian.org,www.sristi.org,
www.indiainnovates.com,
www.honeybee.org) of various NIF collaborators are being hosted on a dedicated server. NIF also tries to ensure that copies of local language, as well as English language, Honey Bee newsletter are sent to as many entrants in the national competitions as possible. This is a part of our ethical and professional responsibility to help forge lateral linkages among innovators and traditional knowledge holders and also to promote sharing of public domain knowledge with local communities and individuals. An information system is being developed for internal use, as well as for use by various stakeholders. The idea is also to develop an on-line incubator for mentoring and valorizing the innovations and traditional knowledge.
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