Maker Mela: 15 awarded for path breaking ideas

Mumbai, Jan 31 (FN Bureau) As many as 15 innovators from different categories were Awarded for their path breaking ideas at the sixth edition of Maker Mela, Asia’s Biggest Maker Gathering and a premier event for grassroots innovators around the world. The two day virtual event registered participation of more than 100 innovative minds from across the globe.

The event is an initiative of Somaiya Trust and Somaiya Vidyavihar, organized by riidl (Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory), a not-for-profit organization under Somaiya Trust, supported by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India; Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Maharashtra State Innovation Society, Government of Maharashtra to accelerate the maker movement in India and create a community of innovators. This year, Maker Mela initiated a virtual platform for makers to exhibit their innovations. Projects of more than 100 Makers from over 15 countries were showcased on the Maker Mela platform. Makers from all age groups, 10 years being the youngest to the oldest being 61 years, and various categories like Art & Craft, Technology, Biotech, Environment, Gaming and many more showcased their innovative ideas and iconic products.

The videos of these makers received more than 75,000 views in less than 30 hours by visitors from 63 countries including India, Japan, USA, South Korea and Nepal. Maker Mela received patronage from prestigious initiatives like UNESCO, Startup India, Skill India and NYCS. Asia’s Largest Influencer Gathering engaged the viewers with the presence of popular digital influencers, focusing on digital influencing and the life of influencers post pandemic. Rony Dasgupta (TheRawknee), Jatt Prabhjot, Kamiya Jani (Curly Tales) and Anantya Anand (MyMissAnand) shared their experiences on adapting to the new normal post relaxation of restrictions and its impact on digital influencing.