India Innovates

Event Introduction

"A man will do a lot for the people around him when he connects to his roots"�

-Dr. Anil K Gupta during Engineer 2007

Dr. Anil K Gupta, a Professor at IIM-Ahmedabad and Founder of the National Innovation Foundation visited Engineer 2007 to make this remark. This event, through the showcasing of many prodigious and indigenous innovations benefiting the rural parts of India & those related to the energy management sector is an attempt to provide that vital spark of inspiration. INDIA INNOVATES has influenced the student community of NITK to think as a socially aware citizenry.

INDIA INNOVATES will be held on 31st October, 2009 at 10:00 am in Main Seminar Hall in the Main Building. The innovators will be demonstrating using working models/ prototypes.

The innovators presenting their innovations during Engineer GJE �

• Mr. B M Narayanan Nambisan: A farmer from Pothankandam village of Kannur district, Mr. Nambisan has studied only upto Std. 4th. He, along with Mr. Govindan Nambisan has developed a removable and reusable Quick-fix shutter check dam. The necessity for the innovation was that, raw materials used for construction of traditional check dams were unavailable after the extinction of rubber cutivation in a few villages of Kannur district. Formerly, wooden planks, polythene and rubber plant leaves were used to hold the water. In Quick-fix check dam, a concrete belt will be provided at the base and the sides of the river. Then, G.I sheets will be cut into uniform size and strengthened using G.I belts which will be fixed in the concrete belt region, giving support from back. The main advantage of this kind of dam is the reusability and quick construction. Mr. Nambisan has installed two such dams in the rivulets of his village, and one in Pallikkere of Kasargod district.
• Dr. Srikumar: He is working as an associate Professor at the college of agriculture, Kasargod under Kerala agricultural university. Dr. Srikumar is working on a project to improvise farmer innovations in northern Kerala with the help of Kerala State Planning Board. He has been supporting Mr. Nambisan to propagate his idea to other people and has been actively involved in its improvisation.
• Mr. Raghava Gowda Pallatadka: A retired primary school teacher Mr. Gowda has a great love towards research and innovation. The various difficulties faced during milking cows made him pursue self-research in developing a machine to milk cows. This led to the innovation of MILK MASTER, a milking machine. His early models were based on the principle used in pesticide spraying machines. He had developed 14 models by the time these milking machines were released to market. The models range from hand operated to AC/ DC motor operated machines. Currently he is experimenting with the designs that can be used to milk buffaloes [this needs higher power] and simultaneous milking of two cows. The products designed, developed and produced by his team is sold not only in all Indian states but also in Nepal and Phillipines. Mr. Gowda was honoured with the Presidents Award in the year 2005 for his works.
• Mrs. Sudha Rayangowdar: She has been working as a Subject Matter Specialist for 15 years in K.H.Patil Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gadag district. She holds a Bachelors degree and Masters degree in Home Sciences from Rural Home Science College, UAS, Dharwad. She is presently involved in
  • Introduction of drudgery reducing equipments to rural women in home and farm like Kissan Cooker, Twin wheel hoe weeder, Sickle etc.
  • Promotion of better health, nutrition, balanced diet and establishment of nutrition garden.
  • Training on value chain management to rural women.
  • Promotion, organization and skill training to Women Self Help Groups.

Postal Address

Pallavi Maiya
Room No. 235,
3rd Block,Girls Hostel,
NITK-Surathkal-575025

Contact details:

• Pallavi Maiya : +91-9449970222
• You can email your queries to indiainnovates@engineer.org.in