A one-day awareness workshop on “Scouting, Documentation and Dissemination of local grassroots innovators from Nagaland” was held at Fazl Ali College Conference Hall, Mokokchung today. The workshop was organized by the Department of Environmental Science, Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung & Research and Development Cell (RDC) Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung in collaboration with National Innovation Foundation (NIF), An Autonomous Body under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.
The inaugural speech of the workshop was delivered by Dr Vivek Kumar, Scientist-F, National Coordinator, Scouting, Documentation and Database Management Division, National Innovation Foundation-India, Autonomous Bodies, DST-Government of India, where he said that NIF nurtures grassroot innovators and that it is important to have interactions to understand the local scenario and help in building chain. He said that Innovations that are identified in the grassroot level have benefitted many locals across the nation.
Dr Kumar also said that the workshop will help in identifying and scouting potential local innovators and also establishing a network with the support of the people. He also encouraged students to take interest in local innovations and mentioned that NIF gives support to students to work as interns in various NIF portals.
The Scientist further added that grassroot innovations identify the needs of the local people and incorporating local innovation with formal system of science helps in taking forward their innovations.
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The first technical session was moderated by Dr P. Tiatemsu, Assoc. Professor Dept. of Botany, FAC and Prof. Ashutosh Tripati, HoD, Dept. of Environmental Science, Nagaland University spoke on the topic “Scope of Locally Available Biowaste in Livelihood Innovators Opportunities.”
Dr. Rajiv Mili, Sr. Innovation Fellow, National Innovation Foundation-India, Guwahati Cell for NE Region, Technology Complex, IIT Guwahati also spoke during the first technical session.
In the second technical session which was moderated by Dr B. Imnawabang Longkumer Asstt. Professor, Dept. of Economics, FAC, Dr Akumtoshi Lkr, Entrepreneur Managing Director, Sutsung Enterprise Pvt. Ltd spoke on “Sharing of innovative entrepreneurship journey.” The technical session was followed by interaction with the Local Farmers, innovators and Local Healers.
The closing remark of the workshop was delivered by Dr E. Benrithung Patton Convenor, Research & Development Cell, FAC, where he said that the workshop has been truly inspiring, showcasing the powerful convergence of tradition and modern innovation. “We’ve seen how ancestral wisdom blends with contemporary creativity, marking a significant step in our journey to recognize, nurture, and elevate grassroots innovations in Nagaland, a region rich in indigenous knowledge and resourcefulness,” he said.
He added that the workshop has laid the groundwork for advancing grassroots innovations, but the real work begins now and to build on this momentum, educators, researchers, policymakers, and community members must provide not just technical and financial support, but also create environments that encourage experimentation, risk-taking, and creativity.
