Social Innovators from India Win Accolades at the 4th edition of AIGIF in Malaysia

The 4^th edition of the ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF), hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), concluded on November 30, 2023. The event celebrated grassroots and student innovators from India and across the ASEAN Member States (AMS). Among the notable winners were Dr. Dipak Bharali, Mr. Sunil Shinde and Ms. Aanchal Aggrawal from India.

Grassroots Innovation Winners

Mr. Dipak Bharali, hailing from Sualkuchi, Kamrup, Assam, secured the 1^st prize for his innovation, the Weft Insertion Device. This groundbreaking creation adds to his list of accolades, including a state award during the 5^th National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF).

Mr. Sunil Shinde, based in Jalna, Maharashtra, claimed the 3^rd prize for his Silkworm Breeding Net Folding Machine. His inventive prowess was previously recognized at the 11^th National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award of NIF.

Student Innovation Winners

Ms. Aanchal Aggarwal from Delhi secured the 3^rd prize in the student innovation category for her creation, Parkinson Lathi. Her talent was previously acknowledged with the INSPIRE MANAK award in the 10^th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) held in October 2023.

Dignitaries and Key Figures

The award ceremony was graced by key dignitaries, including Chang Lih Kang (Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia), Dato’ Technologist Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Hassim (Secretary General of MOSTI, Malaysia), Dr. Zurina Moktar (Head of STI Division, ASEAN Secretariat) and others. They presented the awards to the deserving winners, recognizing their contributions to innovation.

List of Winners

The list of winners is given below:

	Prize	Innovator’s Name	Country	Title of Innovation
Grassroots Innovation Competition	1.	Mr. Dipak Bharali	India	Weft Insertion Device
	2.	Mr. Chatchai Deesawat	Thailand	EV Ever-Greem
	3.	Mr. Sunil Sinde Mr. Rusdi Bin Mohd Rifin	India Malaysia	Silkworm Breeding Net Folding Machine Compact Semi-Auto/Manual Sate Skewering Machine
Student Innovation Competition	1.	Kawinnart Pongmesa	Thailand	Organic Sanitary Pads From Plant Fibers Coated With Kaffir Lime Extract
	2.	Huda Solehah Muhammad Sallehuddin	Malaysia	Ruboba & Ruscrub
	3.	Aanchal Aggarwal	India	Parkinson Lathi

AIGIF Overview

The AIGIF serves as an annual platform fostering collaboration between India and ASEAN Member States in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The 2023 edition featured speaker sessions, panel discussions and an exhibition of innovations, with participation from 11 countries. The program aims to showcase social innovations, strengthen grassroots innovation ecosystems and promote cooperation in STI.

Collaboration and Execution

The AIGIF is a collaborative effort involving the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), the Department of Science & Technology (DST) of the Government of India, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India and the Science and Technology Ministry of the host nation, MOSTI. The execution of the event in 2023 was carried out by Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), an agency under MOSTI.