One doesn't need to go to college to be smart and productive. Having a god heart, good intentions, hard work and being a good human are quintessential for smartness rather than say doctorate at Harvard. Born in rural India is a blessing not a curse, where one has the advantage of maintaining an open mind, innocence and uncorrupted by social "norms". Here is an interview with Anil K Gupta, the brain behind NIF (National Innovation Foundation):
"A cycle that runs on water and land, a scooter-powered flour mill, a solar mosquito killer, a cycle-powered washing machine -- these are just a few of the over 100,000 outstanding innovations that have come from school dropouts and poor people from rural India.
Although some of the innovations, like the powered-flour mill made a debut in the film 3 Idiots, a good majority of these brilliant ideas and products are yet to be recognised across the country.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of the National Innovation Foundation, under the guidance of Professor Anil K Gupta, these innovations are changing the stereotype perceptions of rural India, which is a picture of poverty and degradation. Movies like 3 Idiots did showcase some of our innovations. But that hasn't had the impact it should have had. Our agriculture farms should showcase the innovation of many of our farmers."
How many of the innovations have received patents? About 250 patents applications have been filed. In India, our innovators have got 35 patents and 5 patents in the United States.
The US patent office did not charge us any patent fee when they heard that the innovations were from people who had no formal training. In India, also we are charged less while applying for a patent."
"There is a lot to learn from their lives and achievements. It has been an enriching and enlightening experience. These tribals are the true pride of India."
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