This is my first IDM and I must admit that it was the thought of reaching out to the grassroots to help people with innovative ideas that saw me through the entire program. It is not as simple as it seems on the website, what’s gone into it is several months of hard work.
Here is a glimpse of the IDM preparations: the program begins with trying to convince various organizations to fund the awards. There were some hits and many misses in our several rounds of presentations. Next was the painstaking process of screening every letter/application, getting assessors on board for three levels of short-listing hundreds of proposals and sorting them out through a complicated computer software program for transparent scoring after hours of discussions.
But all this was truly worth it when I met the wonderful participants from across India on May 26th evening at the Samrat Hotel, New Delhi. The excitement in the lobby was palpable. A car load of people had driven down from a remote district of Gujarat. Arriving at 21.00 hrs there was no room for so many of them, accompanying one participant. Some quick thinking and they were sent off to Gujarat Bhawan- a few blocks away.
The ‘Innovation Day’ was so colorful and ethnic, I even saw some participants swinging to the music and songs of the Dandia dancers from Gujarat. There was so much networking among the finalists as also sharing innovative ideas to improve each other’s innovation. The participants from Orissa have already formed a network and have decided to remain in touch.
The IDM is a unique platform. It is gradually carving out a special niche for itself in India and many organizations are planning to follow the World Bank’s initiative of providing grants for implementing small-project ideas of ordinary citizens.
Fri, 06/08/2007 - 05:22
Keep up the good work. May your efforts reach out to the common man and his blessings to all of you will be more valuable than all the Gods' blessings put together. One suggestion - please mail email addresses and contact numbers of all the 48 finalists to all participants so that all of us can be in touch with each other. It was not possible for me to collect this info during DM exhbn
Fri, 06/08/2007 - 04:39
IDM-2007. It really inspires a lot and will inspire me throught my lifetime - for many reasons. As a finalist and winner, I have added around 30 finalists to my friends list. I am in active toudh with 11 of them--- 5 from which I take technical and other inputs for my project. And 6 who want to try out my project ideas in their organisation.
But what Inspires a lot is the event management. Such a big show with none other than Honorable Presicent of India making a presence. Immagine this being managed by a core IBM team of just 3 relativily young people, activily supported by around 5 other WB officials. Really hats off to them. We saw them missing their meals to see that we were not hungry. We saw them sweeting profusly to ensure that our stay was comfortable. We also saw them missing their sleep to see that we are at home. Naming them individually will be just like limiting them. But Bravo, excellant team work.
This was just what we saw for three days. But what we really didnot see is that how they made a painstacking effort as described by Vichitra Sharmaji. She was right in every bit of it. And she will be happy to note that we orissa Teams are still continuing our network. Other two orissa winners namely Dr. Chittaranjan Samantaji and Mr Bikas Mohapatraji join me in thanking you for all the efforts.
I wanted to post it on this blog, but I could not create a login. The comments under other subject headings would not have been a really nice thanks giving.
Just keep this good work going IBM-2007 core team and their associates.
Wed, 08/15/2007 - 03:42
Dear N.Gangadhar Reddy,
The live chat and pictures make me feel that we have just met few weeks back. The IDM 2007 was really inspiring, what inspired me most was meeting the 50 finalist and looking at some 47-48 ideas, I believe that few stall were empty. I didn't really take note to the successful participants of 2004 " a Ship of Hope" on the event but later part of their sharing during knowledge forume was gergous. An elephant who was also a partner in the project, helping push the ship into Brahmaputra. Getting the winners award was not the most interesting part. As K. Negi said " no one is a loser here and all 50 are the winners of the country". Getting to know each other was really great fun.
I should have actually taken the opportunity to thank the IDM team at World Bank for taking good care of us. I feel "I dont know what I actually don't know". So let us keep in touch (all 50 finalist). Beyond just IDM project, we will definately have many ideas to share.
Nima ( from Sikkim)
Sun, 01/06/2008 - 05:32
Hi everybody out there!! I wanted to write earlier, but we were gearing up for our newly funded project and were both enthusiastic and tense about it. With god's grace the project has started well and the first progress report has been submitted. I am really thankful to the IDM team for such a wonderful event and making us absolutely comfortable. This event will always remain memorable. I am really proud to be a part of it. Thank you so much!! I would also like to urge other participants to please remain in contact!! We really can share a great deal; we can discuss our achievements and share our problems. All the best to everyone for their endeavours!!