Indian innovations can help the world: President

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Indian innovations and development will not only benefit India but also the rest of the world, President Pranab Mukherjee has said.

"India has a long tradition of grassroots innovation. From time to time, the common people have ushered in novel solutions to overcome their day-to-day difficulties. The drivers that influence the pursuit of innovation are many - from basic survival to propulsion of growth," Mukherjee told a Global Round-table on Inclusive Innovations on Saturday.

In this era of globalisation, Indian innovations and development would not only benefit India but the rest of the world too, the president said.

He added that ingenious goods and services developed through inclusive innovation would have the potential to transform the global landscape.

The president said a healthy eco-system was needed to harness the innovative potential of various segments in different sectors and at multiple levels, an official release Sunday quoted him as saying.

He said creating an inclusive eco-system called for linkages between grassroots innovators on the one hand and academic institutions and market forces on the other.

"Countries successful in building such a network have become innovation leaders. Our youth power has to be galvanized for nation-building. Students have to be encouraged to sense the unmet needs of the common man, and search, spread and celebrate innovations," he said.

Mukherjee said by partnering with companies and colleges in India and abroad, grassroots innovators would propel a different kind of globalization.

The products and services based on grassroots knowledge and creativity would reach global markets in an affordable, accessible and accountable manner.