Awards await bright young innovators

An anti-molestation device for women to be worn on the wrist, a tool to help people with low vision and a helmet which doubles up as an ignition to start two-wheelers, are some of the many creative ideas that were short-listed for IGNITE 2011 awards. This contest, a brainchild of National Innovation Foundation (NIF), awards ideas and innovations put forth by school children. The contest was open from October 16, 2010 to September 10, 2011, and was warmly welcomed as the organisers received 4104 submissions from across the country.

The prizes to the winners will be awarded on November 11, at an event at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, to be attended by former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The award winning entries will also be exhibited here. The awarded ideas and innovations will be provided incubation support, including prototyping and patenting in the students’ names.

From Ahmedabad, students from FD High School for girls received consolation prize for designing a jacket that senses body temperature and blood pressure. Some other ideas that were conceived include healthy air machine and a medicine box with a reminder.  

This contest is organised in association with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Society for Research and Initiatives in Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI), various State Education Boards and other partners.