The sixth Biennial awards for innovations brought out several interesting insights about innovation ecosystems. The planning commission is slowly getting interested in the creativity of minds on the margin. Two members visited the exhibition and studied the variety of ideas from all over the country. I am not sure whether they will influence allocation of resources for strengthening hands of these creative people but I remember, during KC Pant's time, entire planning commission listened to the ideas from the ground.

But such is not the interest now. Sooner or later, people will realise that no country can progress, much less India without building upon the ideas, institutions and imaginations of communities and creative individuals at grassroots. 'Aam aadmi (and aurat)' is very watchful as recent elections have shown.

Last week, I mentioned about lifetime achievement awards to Amrutbhai Agravat and community award to Arkhiben from Gujarat. Let me share information about other innovators who were honoured by Dr RA Mashelkar and Dr Ramasamy at the sixth Presidential award function. Biren Kalita, Asom developed herbal medication to treat retention of placenta in animals. Nattubhai Vader was given state award for persisting with the problem of developing a cotton picking machine for 797 varieties of dryland cotton. Mangi Singh of Manipur, a physically-challenged man, has developed a loom for weaving Kouna mat from a local grass, improving efficiency manifold. Rehman Sheikh got J&K state award for developing an improved iron cutter. We had scouted him during the Anantnag Shodhyatra. This instrument by him can cut iron rods at any angle. Vikas Shinde of Maharashtra was recognised for Pedal operated manual drilling machine and many other such innovations. His wife had developed a cotton-seedling growing system in nursery so that after nurturing them for a month or more in bags, these are transplanted in the field. The cost goes down, water requirement is drastically reduced and productivity goes up.

Madan Mohan Verma of Delhi was recognised for developing a jewellery-making machine. He remained unrecognised for 45 years and in the evening of his life, we could get the privilege of honouring him. K Masha Nazeem got the unique honour of getting Tamil Nadu state award despite being just a school student for Flameless seal maker and others ideas. She has received many awards earlier including ignite award from NIF.

There were 18 consolation awards:Modification in hadamba thresher for castor: Jagmal Singh, HaryanaParboiled paddy spreader: Ranjeet Ghorai, Paschim BangaParboiled paddy spreader and oil seed turner: R Ravi, Tamil NaduSago roasting machine: V Krishna, Tamil NaduCoconut Tree Climber: DN Venkat, Tamil NaduStencil cutter for embroidery design: Shaikh Nazim, GujaratPennao (a musical instrument): N Jilathombi Singh, Kennedy Singh & Bhagat Singh, ManipurPedal operated drilling machine: Ghonakonta Gogoi, AsomModified Kerosene Stove: Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, J&KPounded chilly sorter: Nazeer Ahmad, Andhra PradeshKey with light, shaving brush and razor with light: Ashish Sadiya, GujaratNMS 2 improved variety of paddy: MK Shankarguru, KarnatakaControl of pests in cotton: Bhikhabhai Sutariya, Ahmadbhai Daudbhai Ganchi, Gujarat.

Remaining awards will be shared in the next column. Please spread the word about these innovators and if you can add to their spirit voluntarily or an entrepreneur, write back. Every step of support counts.

The author is a professor at IIMA