With the aim of encouraging individuals to come up with original and useful devices, and to provide a platform for innovators, the Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and and Science and Technology will organise a two-day ‘Maker Faire’ on November 17 and 18 on Palace Grounds in Bengaluru.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Thursday, Vasant Kamat, innovation consultant of Workbench Project, an agency partnering with the event, said the government was holding such an event in the State for the first time.

He said many individuals design unique and useful devices, but in the absence of the right platform to showcase them, the products go unnoticed. “Considering this, the government has decided to hold an event where innovators and entrepreneurs can both come under one roof. While the innovators get the opportunity to display their products, entrepreneurs will get to see some unique models that they can buy and develop. This helps innovators make money and showcase their talent while companies get new designs for manufacture and sale,” he said.

He said anyone can participate in the event by registering his or her product.

Mr. Kamat, however, made it clear that before approval for display, the designs would be checked by a committee. Only around 100 designs are expected to be approved. He also said though no financial assistance would be assured to any innovator, if participating companies show interest, they could select designs for manufacturing.

Admitting that innovations in the field of agriculture is need of the hour in the country, Mr. Kamat said their focus would be on designs in that sector. He also said that since Karnataka is a hub for the textile sector, technology that could upgrade this sector with innovative designs could be displayed.

For details, visit www.bengaluru.makerfaire.com. All entries must be submitted by October 30 (Monday).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / October 27th, 2017