Winners | Blog   | |  H. E. President of India cutting the ribbon as Praful Patel and Isabel Guererro look on |
New Delhi, May 29 , 2007: The President of India inaugurated the World Bank's second India Development Marketplace 2007 (IDM 2007) in New Delhi today. The IDM represents the Bank's search for innovative development ideas from the grassroots. This year's competition called for entries around the theme, "Grassroots Innovations for the Protection and Management of Natural Resources ." Inaugurating the Marketplace, H.E. Dr Abdul Kalam, the President of India, said, "My interest to participate in this meet arises from the focus of the programme towards sustainable rural development in India." As he went around the colorful kiosks, the President took a keen interest in the innovations displayed. Being a scientist himself, he questioned the participants about the cost-effectiveness and easy applicability of their projects in the rural areas. This is the second time that President Kalam has inaugurated the Bank's IDM. The first time was in 2004  when the competition called for innovations in bringing services to the rural poor. Mr. Praful Patel, the World Bank's Regional Vice President for South Asia complemented the creativity in evidence in many spheres in India saying, "The dynamism we see in India today is largely due to the efforts of a new generation of creative thinkers and doers."   | | One of the winners: A participant from Sikkim with a proposal to save the state's biodiversity |
"And, as we have seen today, there are many more innovative thinkers whose out- of- the- box thinking can lead to simple and creative solutions to the world’s growing environmental challenges," he added. Highlighting the diversity of regions represented, Ms. Isabel Guerrero , the World Bank Country Director for India said, "It is an honor for us to be able to host fifty social entrepreneurs who have come from almost every state in the country, bringing in different ideas to improve the quality of life by protecting natural resources." Stressing the importance of protecting natural resources in the face of global warming and climate change, she added, "The topic is at the centre of one of the most pressing challenges facing our world today." The IDM 2007 received an overwhelming response. Over 2500 proposals were received. These were thoroughly reviewed by several rounds of development experts.  Fifty of the most innovative and potentially viable proposals were invited to present at the Marketplace held at the Bank's New Delhi office.  From these 50 proposals, an eminent jury selected 19 winners on the day of the event. The twentieth winner was chosen by popular vote and given the People's Choice Award. Winners received the Indian Rupee equivalent of US$ 20,000 to implement their proposals over a two year period.  |   | |  Traditional singers and dancers entertained the guests |
Many of the participants were dressed in traditional attire from across the country. Folk singers and dancers added to the color and rural flavor of the event, in keeping with the rustic ambience of the kiosks. The World Bank's partners in the competition included the Ministry of Environment and Forests, DFID, Asian Development Bank, IFC, WHO,  Pehel- A Jagran group of publications social initiative, the Times Foundation, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Ford Foundation, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Together they contributed US$500,000 towards the event.
The IDM was followed by a Knowledge Forum on May 29, 2007, where participants exchanged views with social entrepreneurs from the corporate sector, government experts, community based organizations and others. |
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