National, 24th March 2017 : The National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) today presented India’s first focused ‘Rural Innovators Startup Conclave Awards 2017’. The ceremony was held at NIRDPR, Hyderabad. The ‘RISC 2017 Awards’ were conceptualized to encourage the rural youth and bring to the fore the creative young minds of the country to showcase their innovations for rural development.
The award ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Shri N. Ramesh Kumar, IAS (Retd), State Election Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. The RISC 2017 Awards received 200 entries from across India. Out of the 200 entries, 110 were shortlisted and 12 were awarded under the categories of “Best Innovators” and “Best Startups”. The 6 best startups were awarded a cash prize of Rs 1lakh each and the 6 best innovators were were awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each, along with a certificate and glittering memento.
The winners of the RISC Awards 2017 were adjudged under the following six categories : Agriculture and Allied – Exabit System (Startup category) and Mr D Babu Rao (Innovator category); Green Energy Technologies – Divyanga Thrift and Credit Society (Startup category) and Mr Amol Koli (Innovator Category); Drinking Water, Health and Sanitation– Mr Soujanya Bodha (Innovator category) and Cerela Nutritech (Startup category); Waste to Wealth – Allika (Startup category) and Mr Chandra Dass (Innovator Category); Sustainable Housing – Pipal Tree (Startup Category) and Mohammed Ismail Khan (Innovator category); Suatainable Livelihoods – Ms Ambica Eco Green Bags (StartUp Category) and Mr Tirupati Rao (Innovator category).
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. W.R. Reddy, IAS, Director General NIRDPR, Hyderabad, said, “We thank all the innovators and start-ups for coming out with their inventions and making this event a great success. NIRD&PR will put in efforts to ensure that these products which are at their nascent stage, will receive the kind of support and facilitation required to package them attractively for end users. Going forward, NIRD&PR will be opening up a new front for them – we will be enaging a large number of volunteer service providers for design improvement of these products and integrate these designs in the rural ecosystem.”
Sounding ecstatic after the win, Mr. D Babu Rao added “We are are grateful to NIRD&PR for intitating this first of its kind platform that encourages rural innovators like us to do more for our country and promote entrepreneurship amongst all strata of society.”