Shwetank Jain, an IIT Kharagpur graduate wins 1st prize at gala event held at IIT Delhi

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The National Fair finale of the India Innovation Initiative (i3) saw over 50 best-in-class innovation entries battling it out for top honours.  These 50 had been selected out of a total of nearly a 1000 entries that came in from across the country. i3 is the successful partnership between Agilent Technologies, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to create and sustain an ecosystem of innovation and encourage innovators of all ages and backgrounds.

A jury panel comprising eminent industrialists, scientists, business management experts and government representatives came together to evaluate each of the 50 entries. Yi awarded the top three innovations by young innovators. Select innovations, which have a special potential for commercialization, will be offered incubation support by the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship, IIM Ahmedabad. There will be other awards, recognition and support to winners.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Parmeet Ahuja, President and Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies India said, “We introduced i3 last year with the objective to provide innovative minds a platform to convert viable ideas to reality. India has a large talent base and initiatives like i3 give people a chance to showcase futuristic and break-through innovations, and potentially reach out to a global audience.”

“Through the years, it has been our endeavour to engage and tap the best minds in the country. We are overwhelmed by the response of nearly 1000 entries this year, a big jump over last year’s participation strength of 250.  We will continue to work hard to encourage and inculcate the spirit of innovation, which can then be leveraged for the benefit of society at large.” he added.

“India has emerged as an economic superpower during the last two decades and is well placed to become the most powerful country in the world in the next 20 years. Innovation is the root for this change to happen, we need to be innovative in all spheres of activity starting from technology to services and all levels. Through joint collaboration with Agilent, CII and Yi, DST is determined to make Indian Innovation Initiative – i3 a flagship event to foster innovation at the grassroot level. Our aim is to harness the creativity of the fertile minds of India and to address the innovative zeal at all levels, that would eventually take India to the position of world dominance,” said Dr.Kamal Kant Dwivedi, Scientist “G” & Head-NCSTC, Department of Science & Technology,Govt of India.

Anjan Das, Senior Director, CII highlighted, “CII is happy to partner with DST and Agilent for the India Innovation Initiative – i3 Awards 2010. As one of the apex bodies representing industries in India, CII has taken a leap forward to bring forth the agenda of Innovation awareness and promotion within its members and society at large, with the objective of building a sustainable innovation ecosystem in the country.  i3 is the perfect forum where innovators above 18, from all over the country and across all backgrounds, could participate and get a chance to showcase there creativity. The top innovators will be recognized and facilitated by CIIE of IIM Ahmedabad, SINE of IIT Bombay and Yi to transform their innovation into active commercial ventures. This would create business, jobs and an overall awareness among masses, in line with the CII theme of “Business for Livelihood” for sustainable and inclusive growth. I am confident that such initiatives would facilitate some finest innovators from all backgrounds and regions of India.”