| Mumbai, February 21, 2006: Ever wondered what the
world would look like tomorrow? Well, we do indeed know that the future
of mankind will be propelled by a slew of nifty gizmos, an array of
cybernetic appliances and sensors and the ever-growing trouble-busting
powers of artificial intelligence. But do we really have a sense of
the actual extent and nature of the changes that are poised to sweep
through the world in the coming years?
Discovery Channel will showcase several such dream innovations
that are destined to change human lives forever in its new and engaging
programme BEYOND TOMORROW. The programme travels around the world
for information on and demonstrations of far-reaching breakthroughs
in a diverse range of fields - medicine, aviation, computers, space
research, agriculture, transport, architecture, energy, environment,
leisure and adventure.
In an endeavour to bring the world's attention to India's untapped
and abundant talent, Discovery Channel, in association with National
Innovation Foundation, has juxtaposed Indian grassroots innovations
along with the global technological breakthroughs and scientific
advancements. So while the programme BEYOND TOMORROW will present
stories on products like the Aquada, the next generation amphibian
car from New Zealand which is as sleek on land as on water; the
channel has produced a short film on Indian grassroots innovations
like an amphibious bicycle, created by Mohammad Saidullah from Bihar
- a conventional bicycle that can be modified to cross ponds and
other water bodies and is extremely useful during floods.
To showcase the immense talent present in the interiors of India
like Motihari in Bihar, Kutch in Gujarat, Malappuram in Kerala,
Discovery Channel has produced short films on the Indian grassroots
innovators which it will air on the channel during the three-month
long series.
To generate a discussion on the progress, pace and potential of
Indian science and innovations in the backdrop of the global examples,
Discovery Channel will showcase the global and Indian innovations
through a nationwide roadshow which will include a special address
by some of India's most eminent scientists and experts including:
former UGC Chairman and Padmabhushan Prof. Yash Pal; Padmabhushan
Dr. R A Mashelkar, Director General of Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR), the largest chain of publicly funded
industrial research and development institutions in the world; Dr.
A P Mitra, Honorary Scientist of Eminence, National Physical Laboratory
and former Director General, CSIR; Prof. S Mohan, Chief Executive
- Society for Innovation and Development, Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore; Bakul Dholakia, Director, IIM-Ahmedabad and Prof. Anil
Gupta, Executive Vice Chairperson, National Innovation Foundation.
"I have always believed that 'I' in India should stand for
Innovation. What is most gratifying for us is to see the extraordinary
blend of innovations not only in high tech sectors, where CSIR is
in the forefront, but also at the grassroots level, where Honey
Bee Network and National Innovation Foundation (NIF) are the pioneers.
Where else in the world, would an organization like NIF would exist,
which has mobilized about 50,000 traditional knowledge practices
and grassroot innovations from over 400 districts of the country?
I have no doubt that India is poised to be a global leader in sustainable
technologies, which will provide better living conditions not only
for our people in India but also the people worldwide," said
Dr. R A Mashelkar, Director General of Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) and Chairman, National Innovation Foundation.
Mr. Deepak Shourie, Managing Director, Discovery Networks India,
said, "BEYOND TOMORROW breaks the science fiction barrier and
looks further into the future to see what is now within the realms
of possibility. The series is packed with amazing technological
innovations and breakthrough scientific advancements destined to
change the way we live. We will, for the first time ever, showcase
the Indian potential providing them an ideal platform to communicate
with the world. These grassroots innovators have no or little academic
qualification or formal training but through their single-minded
focus, unmatched passion and above all the 'need' have created unique
products and solutions. Discovery Channel salutes their spirit of
innovation."
IIM-A Prof. Anil Gupta and the Executive Vice Chairperson, National
Innovation Foundation, said, "One resource in which economically
poor people may be rich is their knowledge and innovative potential.
Honey Bee Network started more than 17 years ago has created a new
benchmark in the field of scouting, documentation, dissemination,
value addition, protection of IPR and benefit sharing. SRISTI (Society
for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions,
GIAN (Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network) and NIF (National
Innovation Foundation) with help of other Honey Bee Network collaborators
such as SEVA (Sustainable-agriculture & Environmental Voluntary
Action), PRITVI (People Rewarding Initiatives in Technology, Value
and Institutions), etc., have mobilised thousands of green grassroots
innovations and traditional knowledge from around the country. Many
of the innovators have got patent in US and also in India. The technologies
have been commercialised not only within the country but also internationally.
Journey from the grassroots to global is bound to provide model
for India to become a creative, collaborative, and compassionate
society sharing its innovations with disadvantaged people in the
rest of the world."
BEYOND TOMORROW, an 18-episode series features more than 130 stories
on the latest product and service innovations that are shaping the
21st century will premiere on Discovery Channel every day in the
first week from February 20th to February 24th at 8 pm and thereafter
will air once a week every Friday at 10 pm. The Indian innovations
will be presented on the channel during the series and even beyond
that.
Some of the innovations included in BEYOND TOMORROW*
Aquada: A next generation amphibian! Neither a boat nor a car, the
Aquada is as sleek in the water as it is on land, combining the
best principles of on-road design with streamlined aquatic performance.
BIS Monitor: Being awake during an operation sounds like a scene
from a horror film, but it's a terrifying reality for victims of
anesthesia awareness. This new device, for the first time, enables
doctors to monitor a patient's brainwaves during surgery and accurately
determine the level of a patient's consciousness under anesthesia.
Future Shopping: The store uses pay-as-you-walk technology to tick
off items as you put them in your computerised trolley. The trolley
also acts as an in-store GPS, guiding you to products. It can even
suggest recipes and then lead you to the ingredients!
Hand Held Translator: The biggest difficulty for a traveller to
a foreign country is to communicate in the local language. Whether
it be reading a menu in Thailand, getting directions in Italy, or
doing business in Paris, that headache can now be a thing of the
past with the help of this technology which makes you multilingual.
*more examples mentioned in the fact sheet
Some of the Indian grassroots innovations that will be aired on
the channel*
Pedal Operated Washing Machine: This washing machine follows a "tumble
wash" system which can be operated using a pedal system that
has been developed using parts of a conventional bicycle. In rural
areas, this electricity free washing machine can have enormous applications
and simplify the lives of many. Ms. Remya Jose from Kerala.
Amphibious Bicycle: A conventional cycle retrofitted to cross rivers,
ponds and other water bodies. Now, you will have no obstacles in
commuting during floods and in areas having high proportion of water
coverage like the Kerala backwaters. Innovator: Mohammad Saidullah
from Bihar.
Scooter for the Handicapped: The innovator of this product, Dhanjibhai,
is physically challenged. He has modified an existing scooter making
it possible for the physically challenged to ride it. The scooter
has the potential to become a treasured possession for the physically
challenged. Innovator: Dhanjibhai Kerai from Gujarat.
Tree Climber: A device which makes climbing high trunk trees like
palm and coconut very simple and safe. Has a direct use in the maintenance
of electric poles, street lights, etc. Innovator: Appachan from
Kerala. *more examples mentioned in the fact sheet.
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