Media Release
Pics: Rons Bantwal
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (AF)
Mumbai, Mar 21: The 'Innovation for India Awards 2008' organized by the Marico Innovation foundation culminated its journey with a memorable evening which recognized and acknowledged breakthrough innovations and out of the box thinking in the business and social sectors. The event honoured the achievements of a multitude of ingenious minds by acknowledging 'India’s Best Innovations for 2008.'
The audience witnessed the best of ideas from India and applauded the minds behind them, which included
Maharani Paints (India) Pvt Ltd for Business Innovation (Process), Evalueserve.com Pvt Ltd for Innovation in Business Model, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd for Business Innovation (Product), M/S Bhinge Brothers Business Innovation (Social), Motor Industries Co Ltd (MICO) for Business Innovation (Product), Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd for Innovation in Business Model and Titan Industries Limited for Business Innovation (Product).
Special award was presented to Azim Premji Foundation for Innovation in Education while Tata Motors bagged the Global Game Changer Award.
The winning innovators shared with the participants their challenges, pains and triumphs thereby provoking new thoughts and fuelling innovation. Participation of eminent leaders from diverse fields including Ravi Kant (MD, Tata Motors), Dr Ramesh Mashelkar (chairman, Marico Innovation Foundation and FRS, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow NCL), Aamir Khan (actor and director), Prasoon Joshi (ad guru of India and lyricist) and Harsh Mariwala (CMD, Marico Ltd and founder member, Marico Innovation Foundation) raised the awards event to new heights. The event was a stimulating experience dotted with innovations that have challenged existing norms.
The second edition of the Innovation for India Awards saw over 200 entries from all over India across industries like power solutions, water purification, commodity exchange, etc. The evening was a great indicator of the fact that the awards are attracting a wide spectrum of entries from across the business and social sector. The deserving innovations that were awarded went through a rigorous in depth evaluation process and in context audits by an eminent jury, who finally came up with the 'Best Innovations in India' for 2008.
Tata Motors was bestowed with the ‘Global Game Changer Award’, by Harsh Mariwala and Dr R A Mashelkar, for the spirit of innovation, passion and zeal that went into the creation of the totally innovative Nano – heralded as the greatest innovation in post-Independence India. It was recognized as an innovation that heralds the emergence of a new, bold and ambitious innovative India. On behalf of Tata Motors, Ravi Kant, managing director of Tata Motors, received the award.
The other highlight of the evening was Aamir Khan who was present along with Prasoon Joshi to share his views on innovation. Aamir Khan stated, 'For me innovation is about following my instinct rather than the trend. Every time I have followed my heart, I have succeeded and created a benchmark within the industry. I feel the need to work on different types of films or roles every time and innovate to the best of my ability. In my opinion Innovation for India Awards is a great platform to honour those innovators who felt this similar need to push themselves beyond the obvious and deliver a new successful feat to the world.'
on Innovation. The audience was enthralled by the two change agents’ captivating discussion on the need to challenge existing norms and constantly innovate in the entertainment industry.
Speaking at the Innovation for India Awards 2008, Dr R A Mashelkar, chairman, Marico Innovation Foundation said, 'I believe, the next key milestones for India, will be determined by its mutual growth and evolution with respect to power of innovative thought, and the ability of our innovators to innovate.'
Speaking at the ocassion, Harsh Mariwala, founder member, Marico Innovation Foundation said, 'Way back in 2003 when a few of us set out, we dreamt of bringing a meaning to the word 'innovation.' The Innovation for India Awards is a significant step in the Marico Innovation Foundation’s short lifespan.'
The evening lived up to its promise of being charged up with a new spirit thereby leaving each participant with a desire to innovate and create a solution that will make a difference to the world.