Youngsters demonstrate their Social innovations at the PIC’s 10th National Conference on Social Innovation.
Pune Nov – 17th, 2022 – Recircle’sSwachh Sustainable Solutions, Krishigati and Mudita and Radhesh Pvt ltd have bagged this year’s Social Innovation Awards given by Pune International Centre (PIC). The winners were awarded in urban, rural, and tribal categories respectively in presence of KishorChaukar, Former Managing Director of Tata Industries Ltd, Dr.RaghunathMashelkar, eminent Scientist and President PIC ,Dr. Vijay Kelkar Vice President PIC, Abhay Vaidya, Director PIC, and Mandar Joshi, Head- Social Innovation Lab. Smt. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation was the Chief guest and delivered the keynote address.
Under the Recircle initiative, Swachh Sustainable Solutions works to divert plastic waste from oceans and landfills by implementing an ethical and traceable reverse supply chain for the waste. Krishigati provides technology solutions to farmers for modern and precision farming. Mudita and Rasshesh Pvt ltd upcycles the chicken waste generated in butcheries and creates woolenfibers and fertilizers.
The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each and a one-year mentorship program from PIC Social Innovation Lab. The program saw 18 finalists across three categories who were selected from over 130 entries from across 20 states.
The day-long conference organized at YASHADA, Baner Road saw various sessions on tribal, rural, and urban innovations which included presentations by the participants and interaction with various experts. PratimaKirloskar, President Innovations Society, Mukesh Malhotra, Chairman of Weikfield Group of Companies, and Dr. K.V. Somasundaram, Director, Associate Professor School of Public Health and Social Medicine PIMS-DU interacted with the social innovators.
NCSI 2022 has been organized by PIC along with the National Innovation Foundation, New Delhi, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS, Mumbai) and provides innovators a platform to showcase their innovations and offer them several benefits.
The AnjaniMashelkar Inclusive Innovation Award was also given away at the hands of Sangita Jindal.
In her keynote address Smt. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation said that many best-known industries have been born out of innovation and passion. Referring to ‘juggad’ , she said that Jugaad, Junoon, and Josh are the skills that India is known for. A truly prosperous society consists of both economic and social prosperity which is why we at JSW are a part of the ecosystem that promotes innovation. To imagine and reimagine our future, we need to stay connected to the roots.
KishorChaukar said that it is heartening to see that away from the old concept of doing development, doing changes, or some sort of innovation in the basic production activity of a particular economic activity, today’s youngsters are stepping out and that started using technology and technologies to connect with their own service activities or economic activities.