Former President Pranab Mukherjee recently conferred the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards 2018 on some creative and innovative students. The National Innovation Foundation, an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, had organised the competition. After the competition, an exhibition was organised to showcase the award-winning ideas by young, creative minds of the country.

As many as 31 students from 11 states were given the awards for their 21 ideas/innovations. More than 90,000 applications had been received from 643 districts of the country.

Dr PS Goel, Chairperson, NIF and Prof. Anil K Gupta, Founder Honeybee Network were among the dignitaries present at the competition.

Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the award-winning children, teachers and motivators; while saying that creativity is ever pervasive and abounding. Most of the ideas and innovations have aimed at solving persistent problems while elaborating that the children are capable of identifying local problems, thinking of possible solutions, evaluating them and finally developing the best possible solution.

He stressed the fact that when children learn to identify problems and solve them on their own, the future is bright for the society and the country. He hoped that parents and teachers across the country ensure that our children get a nourishing and empowering environment where their skills, creativity, knowledge and learning would not get curtailed.

Dr P.S. Goel, Chairperson, NIF said that recognitions like Dr A P J Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards help in creating a culture of innovation in our society right from the childhood itself. A large number of entries this year means that about one million children may have thought of fresh ideas and innovations for helping our society. He further added Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE competition helps in spreading the message of innovation and the aim of National Innovation Foundation is to take it further.

The vote of thanks on the occasion was delivered by Dr Vipin Kumar, Director, NIF. He congratulated the award winners while expressing his gratitude towards the various State Boards/ Councils/ Directorates/ Departments of Education / Institutes and others that have immensely helped NIF during the Dr A P J Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards competition through the years.