New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) A windmill operated water pump, a multi purpose walking crutch, retrofitted car for physically challenged, a new white flowered cardamom variety, herbal practice for animal health and many such grassroot innovations will be awarded by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam here Monday.
According to Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR), 69 innovators from across the country would be awarded at the fourth National Innovation Foundation (NIF) awards for grassroots innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge.
NIF awards are presented biennially in recognition of innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge at the grassroots.
"Sixty-nine innovators including 12 students across India have been selected this year for their innovations under various categories like electronic, firm machinery, plant variety, reviving traditional knowledge, human health, livestock," said a CSIR official.
This year, the lifetime achievement award is being given to Shamrao Parhate of Chindwara, Madhya Pradesh, for his innovation on Shivraj Multipurpose Agricultural Equipment and other machineries.
The two-day event beginning Sunday, at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, would also host an innovators' workshop. Apart from exhibiting their innovations, the grassroot innovators would also interact with Kalam and renowned scientist R.A. Mashelkar.