One sure way for India to become the next Innovation Superpower!

Breaking the Hand-Mind-Market barrier!

“If India is the IT capital of the world, why was YouTube not invented
in India?” Or, for that matter “Why are the richest Indian corporations not taking the risks to set the nation on path to top of the value chain?”

What’s holding us back - despite the fact that country has a rich tradition of path-breaking scientific achievements, from Aryabhatta’s discoveries in astronomy, use of rocket-fire by Tipu Sultan’s forces to the invention of carbon-steel originally by Indian scientists?

According to the author the reason is the hand-mind barrier in India, probably a legacy of the Indian caste system, which divided the population into distinct categories. People who work with hands do not have the education, and those that have education do not work with hands. This dichotomy is not conducive to innovation, as innovation happens when theory is translated into practical application (Think of a dentist creating a new tooth-material, or a surgeon attempting a new surgical technique!).

The book attempts to guide the Indian scientific community on the path of major next-generation innovations – with real-life examples from how stage was set by Thomas Newcomen and others for James Watt’s steam engine, or Dr. P.K. Sethi’s collaboration with the sculptor Ram Chandra Sharma to produce the revolutionary prosthetic Jaipur-foot. Additionally, the book covers the entire history of innovations starting from Newton, Edison and Einstein, and finally going on to today’s areas like healthcare, energy, automotive sector, water management and lighting and appliances that will drive the innovations of future!

On the whole, the book describes individual and organizational approaches to developing a strategy and a culture tuned to innovation - including processes to manage innovation with case studies for creating an idea-rich environment, besides a model covering three aspects of individual innovation - create with freedom, nurture with passion, and transcend with detachment.

While the approaches described in the book are general, the special focus is on creating a century of Indian Innovation.

Gopichand Katragadda, Ph.D., is the General Manager – India Engineering Operations for GE Energy Infrastructure comprising 1600 engineers in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The team produces next-generation designs for higher efficiency and environment-friendly energy solutions. Previously as the Operations Manager for GE Global Research Bangalore (GEGR-B), Gopi worked with the GEGR-B technology team of 400 researchers to deliver growth through innovation. The team filed over 225 US patents in just three years. Gopi is a certified GE Six-Sigma Master Black Belt.

S.M.A.S.H
Innovation: Smashing the Hand-Mind-Market Barrier
Gopichand Katragadda
Wiley India
978-81-265-1906-4
INR 299/-

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18th New Delhi world book fair

I was away from everythg for world book fair which was at pragati maidan, New Delhi during 2nd -10th feb '08. For me it was first time i am part of it and that to never visited it before. It was a pleasant surprise for me to find people in Delhi & Ncr are actually fond of reading books ( when u r part of publishing industry & hear sales are dipping & targets are yet nt achieved :) !!)they were dropping like anythg in the bitting cold with their kids & aged parent to find books for pleasure, information & knowledge.

Being new to publishing world, it gave me whole plethora to understand how this indstry operates & what all drives it, the people, the management ( a must watch :)), the constrain...

I will be keep posting my WBF experience.. till then back to work :)