New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday described the Rashtrapati Bhavan as a house of the people of India.
President Mukherjee, who was addressing a group of grassroot innovators, writers and artists who are staying at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a two-week ‘In Residence’ programme, described the participants as honoured and special guests.
The President said the ‘In-Residence’ programme is among the many initiatives taken to open Rashtrapati Bhavan to the public.
“They are special guests and will continue to be so because of their talent. All of them were creative minds of a resurgent India and they will add many more glorious chapters to our ancient civilization. If a society cannot respect talent, it cannot be described as a progressive society. Without innovations and creativity, no society can advance,” said President Mukherjee.
Omita Paul, Secretary to the President, said the President firmly believes that innovation and creative ideas are essential for the growth and development of the country.
“By encouraging bright minds, we can usher innovations which go beyond economic gains and cover the aspect of social good. India needs new ideas and the bright young minds who can usher innovations can be true torch-bearers of the development,” Paul said.
She emphasized that innovative ideas need to be supported if we want speed, scalability and sustainability.
All the participants in the ‘In-Residence’ programme shared their experiences of staying at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. They said that their stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan had inspired them to take their creative initiatives to a higher level.
The innovators, who called on the President, included G.K. Ratnakar from Karnataka (innovation: Mini Hydro Turbines), Mushtaq Ahmed Dar from Jammu & Kashmir (innovation: Walnut Cracker), Lal Biakzuala Ralte from Mizoram (innovation: Bamboo Splint Making Machine), Mallesham Laxminarayana Chinthakindi from Andhra Pradesh (innovation: ‘Laxmi’ Asu making machine), Amrut Lal Bawandas Agrawat from Gujarat (innovation: Aaruni Bullock Cart and Innovative Pulley), Anuradha Pal from Andhra Pradesh (innovation: ‘Right biotic’ an Anti-biotic finder) and Shri Swapnanil Debajit Talukdar from Assam (innovation: Foot operated manual page-turning machine).
The writers, who are staying at the Rashtrapati Bhavan under the ‘In-Residence’ programme include Binod Ghosal from West Bengal, Jwishri Boro from Assam and Dhwanil Ravindrabhai Parekh from Gujarat. All three are winners of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar.
The Artist ‘In-Residence’ Shitanshu G. Maurya from Uttar Pradesh and has won the National Award from Lalit Kala Akademi in 2010.
The ‘In-Residence’ programme for innovation scholars, writers and artists was launched by the President of India on December 11, 2013 with a view to encourage senior innovation scholars, writers and artists as well as young and upcoming talent by facilitating them stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The programme seeks to provide an environment which will inspire creative thinking and rejuvenate artistic/innovative impulses.
In previous two years, four writers, five artists and fifteen innovations scholars stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan in different batches. (ANI)