George Eby Mathew

Book Summary

 

In this book, I show how ordinary people are leveraging "innovation" to create new sources of wealth and solve their daily problems in a country lacking infrastructure, funding and government support. When millions of micro innovators and entrepreneurs align themselves towards development and growth, you have an innovation super power in the making. “India’s Innovation Blueprint" draws on my ongoing research and work on "national innovation systems”, started during my tenure as a researcher at Infosys’ Labs between 2001 and 2005. The value of the book is apparent in its ability to set a problem-solving mindset and a vision for developing countries like India towards becoming an Innovation superpower in the next 25 years.

In summary, the book acknowledges Asia's dominance in global Innovation that is well documented but highlights India's role in this shifting dynamic that is often ignored. It identifies three critical levels of innovation within a national framework namely grassroots innovation, national innovation and innovation for global competitiveness. It recommends the creation of a National Innovation System and offers a pragmatic call for action towards a balanced innovation portfolio to address rural GDP, employment, education and health for all.

Included in 30 or so examples and dozens of interviews, I write how Gujarat is reversing rural migration to overcrowded cities, and how a company is formalising village markets into a fair trading ecosystem for large and small farmers using technology. I write of 140,000 rural innovators who are bringing in their genius to solving a range of rural problems from drinking water to improving productivity in farming. I write of technology companies developing ways for taking knowledge, health and employment to needy places. I speak of companies making products and services affordable for the 'bottom of the pyramid’. I draw inspiration from how bright young engineers are challenging status quo to build new products for global market.

The book is in many ways a tribute to India’s young people - 50 per cent of India's population are under the age of 25. This section of society holds the key to unlocking India’s true potential. Sadly a generation upholding a crippled legacy might have to go before the stage is set for the goals of a new India to be realised. That journey has begun – in our life time. The book is a chronicle from a journalist, analyst, researcher and a consultant covering the first 20 years of India’s economic freedom with fine precision. At the same time, its perspectives and prescriptions are from a vantage point in history tempered with the benefit of 60 years of hindsight and 40 years of foresight in the 100 years of modern India's sovereign history.
 

The Publisher

 

Established in 1998 Chandos Publishing,an inprint of Woodhead Publishing, is a leading international publisher specialising in management issues & asian studies. On 9 August 2013, Elsevier acquired Woodhead Publishing including Chandos Publishing.

 

The aim of Chandos Publishing is to publish books of the highest possible standard: books that are both intellectually stimulating and innovative. Many of their books have a highly practical focus and provide the best source of authoritative information for professionals and researchers worldwide.

Past authors have represented the London School of Economics, KPMG, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Max-Planck Institute, Duke University, Clifford Chance and McDermott, and Will & Emery.