visitor

Dr. R A Mashelkar, President, Global Research Alliance; Bhatnagar Fellow, NCL; Chairperson NIF

Dr Mashelkar visited NIF in the morning and met the staff. His visit, amidst his hectic schedule, was deeply appreciated by the staff as it gave them an opportunity to share experiences with him and learn from his insights.

Staff members updated him with the recent achievements and discussed promising technologies. The staff was benefited by the valuable comments from his side in each case.

Dr. Mashelkar praised the efforts of the young team at NIF and motivated them to renew their commitment to serve the grassroots. He also promised to visit NIF more frequently in future.

Ms Ranjana Kumar , Vigilance Commissioner & GC member of NIF

How to mobilise energy/power related innovations - Ms Ranjana Kumar suggested a meeting with NTPC chairman Sh Sankarlingam with a presentation on 5-6 good energy sector innovations. The focus can be on R&D on these or possible application of these to be suggested by NTPC. She also suggested similar presentation before ONGC chairman for security alarm systems and similar innovations.



To promote herbal drinks in railways, she suggested to get a certification for the drinks from CFTRI and then she can speak with higher authorities. Similarly she was very helpful in suggesting various channels of campaign through SBI ATMs and advertisements on selected railway stations.

Mr. Atul Mittal, Manager (Business Development) (atul.mittal@bp.com) and Mr. Ashutosh Kumar Sinha, Manager (Business Development) (ashutosh.sinha@bp.com) British Petroleum (BP Energy India Pvt. Ltd.) BP Energy India Pvt. Ltd.3rd floor, Tower-B, First India Place,Shushant Lok-1, Mehrauli, Gurgaon Road,Gurgaon – 122 002, HaryanaPhone: +91 124 453 9000 Fax: +91 124 453 9001 www.bp.com.

They looked the potential of energy based products/innovations in NIF database . Different kinds of Stoves were shown to them and some brief about different turbines were discussed.They are interested to take up ome of the stoves and irrigation based innovations e.g. hand pump, rain gun etc.

Dr. Vinod Agarwal, President and CEO of SemIndia

He took interest in many technologies which were showed to him at NIF. Particularly he took interest in mobile phone operated switch for which he immediately placed an order of 10 pieces. Dr. Agarwal stressed the need of promoting grassroots innovations and assured NIF all the help which he can.

 Michigan University Delegation

A delegation from Michigan University, visited National Innovation Foundation on 21st March, 2006.They were given a presentation on structural framework and functions of National Innovation Foundation, GIAN, SRISTI and Honey Bee Network along with video clippings of Innovations and their showcasing by Discovery Channel, NDTV and other media channels.



They were also taken to some of the innovators like Mansukhbhai Prajapati, Mansukhbhai Patel, Yagnesh Mehta, Arvindbhai patel, Prem Singh Saini and entrepreneur A.H Ahuja to show them innovations in situ and also the latest model ready for market. They were given the feel of the potential these innovations have along with the socio-economic condition of the innovators.

Prof. Michel Gordon, Professor for innovation study at Michigan University

Focus of the meeting was to develop a partnership at various levels utilizing the resources from both the ends for the larger benefit of stakeholders. The Student group of Michigan felt very excited, showed keen interest in the activities of national Innovation Foundation. It is considered very significant from the point of building institutional relationship for the larger benefit of the two sides. Other members present during the meeting were Gregg A. Hammerman, Nicole M Thomas, Jessica and Swapna (All student of Business School, Michigan University.) and NIF staff members.



They also visited Viramgam on 24th March 2006 to meet innovator turned
entrepreneur Shri Maksukhbhai Patel (Cotton Striper Machine)