National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11^th May to commemorate the country’s technological advancements. It was on this day in 1998, India had the prideful accomplishments of ‘Operation Shakti’ and ‘Hansa 3 Test flown’. For this year, to mark this momentous occasion of 25th anniversary of these landmark events, Technology Development Board along with 12 Ministries/Departments viz. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) -NITI Aayog, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organisation – Ministry of Defence, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology, Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Education, Indian Space Research Organisation and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised National Technology Week, 2023 with primary focus on Atal Innovation Mission, programs and showcase innovations from different sectors of the innovation lifecycle with a central theme of ‘School to Startup- Igniting Young Minds to Innovate’.

The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi. Praising the theme of event ‘School to Start-ups – igniting young minds to innovate,’ the Prime Minister said that India’s future will be decided by the youth and children of today. He said that the passion, energy and capabilities of the children and youth today are India’s big strengths. Quoting Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of knowledge and said as India is developing as a knowledge society, it is acting with equal force. He elaborated on the strong foundation that has been created in the country during the last nine years to ignite young minds.

The Prime Minister said that more than 10 thousand ATAL tinkering labs in 700 districts have become innovation nurseries. More importantly, 60 percent of these labs are in government and rural schools. He informed that over 75 lakh students are working laboriously on more than 12 lakh innovation projects in Atal Tinkering Lab. This, the Prime Minister said, is a sign of young scientists coming right out of schools and reaching the far corners of the country and emphasising that it is everyone’s duty to handhold them, nurture their talent and assist them in implementing their ideas. He noted the hundreds of start-ups that have been incubated at Atal Innovation Centres (AIC) and said that it is emerging as the new laboratories of the ‘New India’. “The Tinker-preneurs of India will soon become leading entrepreneurs of the world,” the Prime Minister said.

The clarion call by Hon’ble PM set the tone right, bringing in over 5000 young minds, 1500 visitors, 800 Exhibitors, 200+ Student Exhibitors & 100+ Startups from different parts of the country. The event also had 10+ technical sessions by different ministries/departments with primary focus on students. These special sessions carried the idea for technopreneurs to become entrepreneurs.

The major highlights of the expo included DrAIve, displayed by Gitanjali Chettri, Sneha Kumari, Aniska Rai. The device utilises artificial intelligence to assist drivers on hilly roads with unexpected turns and pedestrians on the road. Additionally, the device uses machine learning to detect accidents and send SOS messages to family members within seconds, thus increasing the chances of immediate medical assistance.

Atal Divyang Rat displayed by Mohit Tayde, Tarun Maitry, Mohnish Kumar Dhruv. The product is designed to assist specially-abled persons to use washrooms without any constraint through a chair-cum-vehicle. The product was developed after multiple interviews and interactions with students and parents of specially-abled students to allow them to use washrooms without any hesitancy.

SSPL-DRDO showcased the technology ‘Underwater Wireless Optical Communication using Blue-Green Laser” developed by Dr. Fahim & Dr. Sita Ram, DBT-inSTEM’s Dr Praveen Kumar Vemula showcased Novel Blood Bank & Anti pesticide protection suit, and M/s Panacea Medical Technology Pvt. Ltd, a beneficiary of Technology Development Board, DST displayed indigenously manufactured SBRT Enable Linear Accelerator (LINAC) (Siddharth II).

The 4-day long event was concluded today on 14^th May, 2023. The valedictory ceremony was graced by the august presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Secretaries of Participating Ministries & Stakeholders of the Tech Startups ecosystem. The event ended on a positive note, delivering a great opportunity to celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that drives our country’s technological progress. It showcased cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions that have the potential to transform various sectors and improve the quality of life of people.

The event created awareness about the various schemes and initiatives of the government to support technology startups and SMEs, it tried to reach out to the aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts across the country. This fostered ever growing collaboration and partnerships amongst various stakeholders in the technology ecosystem. The event brought them together to exchange ideas, and explore possibilities.

The National Technology Week has precisely set the goals for next 25 years towards technological excellence. As India entered Amrit Kaal, the key focus is on building a robust innovation ecosystem that nurtures and supports the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. We need to invest in research and development, strengthen our intellectual property regime, and create an enabling policy environment that fosters innovation and growth. With the right kind of support and encouragement, India thrives for becoming truly world-class technology ecosystem that can compete with the best in the world.

 

Presentation of National Technology Awards 2023

To provide a platform of recognition to Indian industries and their technology provider who work to bring innovation to the market and help in contributing to the vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.” Technology Development Board (TDB) sought applications for National Technology Awards under five categories Main, MSME, Startup, Translational Research and Technology Business Incubator from various industries for successful commercialization of innovative indigenous technology, scientists involved in research and Technology Business Incubators. This year a total of 11 winners are selected after a stringent two-tier evaluation process with panellist being eminent scientists and technologists. The details of National Awards for the year 2022-23 under five categories are as follows: –

CATEGORY A:  

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD (MAIN)

This award is given to an industrial concern which has successfully developed & commercialized an indigenous technology. In case, the technology developer / provider and the company commercializing the technology are two different organizations, each is eligible for award of Rs.25 Lakh and a trophy.

        I.          M/s MyLab Discovery Solutions Private Limited, Maharashtra 

The company has successfully indigenised CNATSpert ID TripleH Detection Kit which offers all in one qualitative multiplex Real Time PCR test for simultaneous detection and discrimination of HIV, HBV, and HCV in donated blood in a single tube format.

Mylab’s patented NATSpert ID TripleH Detection Kit offers all- in- one qualitative multiplex Real-Time PCR test for simultaneous detection and discrimination of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) such as HIV, HBV and HCV in donated blood. In India, with high prevalence rate of HIV, HBV, and HCV, blood safety is a big challenge. Blood safety relies deeply on the accurate screening of blood for transmissible infections (TTIs). Every year thousands of people in India acquire deadly infections because of lack of appropriate preventive testing.

The Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAT) is considered the gold standard in blood safety screening and significantly reduces TTIs related to Hepatitis B and C and HIV. Some viruses, such as hepatitis B, have a longer incubation period of 40 to 50 days. The serology tests fail to detect the presence whereas NAT will find out such presence. NATSpert, the only made in India approved NAT test, is highly sensitive and is specific real time PCR technology for testing of individual donors and blood products. It can identify and detect multiple analytes in a single test, thus improving workflow turnaround time and sensitivity compared to the currently available commercial NAT kits. It is a high quality, affordable NAT test compare to existing commercially available tests. NATSpert can help blood banks to supply non-infected blood, avoid litigations that come their way due to infected blood stocks and improve their quality standards.

CATEGORY B:

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD UNDER MSME CATEGORY

The award of Rs. 15 lakhs each in this category is given to MSMEs that have successfully commercialized the product based on indigenous technology. This year following company has been selected for this award: –

2. M/s Ideaforge Technology Limited, Maharashtra.  

The company has indigenously developed Fixed-wing VTOL UAV- SWITCH UAV that can fly at diverse terrains and harsh environments, ranging from -30 °C to +55 °C for a variety of security and surveillance applications.

3. M/s. Electronics Devices Worldwide Private Limited, Maharashtra.

The company has developed Zero-ventilated induction cap sealing device with improved spatial   distribution of optimized power loss.

4. M/s. XIOTZ Private Limited, Karnataka (Women led MSME)

The company has developed Managed Cyber Assurance Platform.

CATEGORY C:

NATIONAL AWARD UNDER TECHNOLOGY START-UP CATEGORY   

This award is given to a technology start-up for development of indigenous technology with potential for commercialization. The award in addition to the trophy includes a cash award of Rs.15 Lakh.

5. M/s Kanpur Flower Recycling Private Limited, Uttar Pradesh 

The company has developed Fleather- an animal free sustainable alternative to conventional leather made from flower waste.

6. M/s Sascan Meditech Private Limited, Kerala 

The product awarded is Oral Scan handheld device to screen for early-stage cancers and for biopsy guidance.

7. M/s Xyma Analytics Private Limited., Tamil Nadu, 

The company has produced Novel Multi-Point and Multi-Parameter Sensing to withstand extreme environment in Industrial applications using Patented Ultrasonic Waveguide based Technology.

8. M/s WellRx Technologies Private Limited., Haryana 

The ‘Oil and Gas Wells Rejuvenation Technologies to “Revive” the shut wells and “Increase” the Oil and Gas Production’.

9. M/s Qzense Labs Private Limited, Karnataka (Women led Start up)

The company has developed Early spoilage detection and shelf-life prediction for fresh food using artificial olfaction.

CATEGORY D

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD- TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

This award is given for outstanding contribution of Women Scientist / Entrepreneur in commercializing innovative indigenous technologies.

Prof. Govindaraju Thimmaiah

For Outstanding contribution of Scientist in commercializing innovative indigenous technologies.

Professor Govindaraju has developed a novel drug candidate TGR63 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

CATEGORY E

NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD-TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATOR

For outstanding contribution in techno-entrepreneurship development by way of promoting innovative, technology driven knowledge, intensive startup enterprises in different technological areas.’ is presented to T-Hub Foundation, Telangana.

T-Hub (Technology Hub) is an innovation hub and ecosystem enabler. Based out of Hyderabad, India, T-Hub leads India’s pioneering innovation ecosystem and is the world’s largest innovation campus.

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SNC/PK/SM