15 national awards and one lifetime achievement award presented

A young boy with a desire to help his mother, a septuagenarian farmer whose endeavours led to a crop with a better yield, an individual with a quest to provide all luxurious things to people who can't afford electronic goods; were among the innovators who were awarded by President Pratibha Patil at the 6th National Grassroots Innovations Awards on Friday.
The President also inaugurated the ‘Exhibition of Innovations' at the President's Estate. The award function was organised by the National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF) and the awards presented to grassroots innovators and outstanding traditional knowledge holders.
“The award winning innovators were identified for recognition by NIF during its 6th National Biennial Competition, which ran from January 1, 2007, to January 31, 2009, and saw over 36,000 submissions. The President gave away 15 national awards and one lifetime achievement award. The awards have been given in seven categories; lifetime achievement, national, State, consolation, diffusion, idea, appreciation, and special student awards,” said an official of the President's Secretariat.
On display are innovations such as utensils and appliances made from special clay that offer the services of an electrical appliance without using energy.
Designed by Prajapati Mansukhlal Raghavjibhai of Gujarat and sold under the brand name of “Mitticool” the range of products include a simple water filter to a mini refrigerator, all of which are made out of clay.
Also at the exhibition is a rice grain cleaning machine that has been designed by Sajid Ansari from Jharkhand, the desktop machine automatically cleans rice. Sajid's design was inspired by his wish to help his mother who spent a long time cleaning rice.
With a desire to help the differently-abled and the ailing, Archana Konwar from Assam has designed a pair of crutches with shock absorbers, bell and a light. Also to assist those using walkers, Shalin Kumar from Bihar has designed a modified walker with adjustable legs that makes climbing stairs easier.
TT Thomas, a 71-year-old farmer from Kerala, has developed a quality of high yielding pepper, while Jahangir Ahmed from Jammu and Kashmir has designed an electrical painting brush.