EMPI: The Indian Express Indian Innovation Awards
The 20th century has witnessed more change than all the other centuries put together change through innovations in many spheres-political, economic, social and technical. Moreover, the system of innovation has undergone a major transformation from innovations associated with individual technical inventors to a world where the search for ‘newness’ is not only for new products or inventions but by the Organization as a whole, planning and implementing new ideas, processes and systems across the entire span of their operations and covering all aspects of human endeavour. The institutionalization of the innovative process of change has perhaps become the most indispensable part of any developmental effort.
In this context the EMPI Group of Institutions instituted the Indian Innovation Awards in 2005, perhaps the first of its kind in the country, to recognize Innovative Organizations in India, which have by their innovative actions impacted major changes. The Awards were launched as part of a larger movement Mission Innovative India by the highly inspiring the then President of India, Honble Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
The entire movement received a fillip since 2006 when EMPI joined hands with two top organizations, known to be the best in their respective fields – The Indian Express Group and The Boston Consulting Group. The Indian Express Group based on their philosophy of serious and positive journalism that impact both policy and people, and The Boston Consulting Group (India), a globally renowned organization in consulting management have helped to strengthen the mission of the Indian Innovation Awards, with the Awards being re-christened as the EMPI – Indian Express Indian Innovation Awards.
The year 2007 saw the second in the series of the Awards being given away to 14 major organizations. The Awards showcased the success of diverse sectors – including governance, education, health delivery, judiciary, trade and businesses, and many more. The awardees displayed how team dynamics, social considerations, cross boundary coordination; governance and information technology can have broader impacts on the society. These societal impacts and intellectual merits were the deciding factors that guided an eminent panel of jury to declare the winners. Since its inception, the Awards have grown into a major event, which in two years entertained more than thousand applications.
The third in the series of the Awards was held on March 13, 2009. The day also marked the Inaugural day of 11th International Conference on Technology Policy and Innovation (a tier one conference brought home to India by the EMPI Group of Institutions). 9 organizations were awarded, which included 6 gold winners and 3 silver winners. The Awards brought into highlight the growing influence of women leaders in Indian organizations (2 out of the 9 winning organisations were led by women) and also the innovations happening in the development and social sectors. It thus enabled a concurrent evaluation of the organizational innovations, thus helping to bring together and document the success ventures of the otherwise publicity shy innovators.
The fourth in the series of EMPI-Indian Express Indian Innovation Awards was held on July 12, 2010 at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Center, New Delhi. Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, UIDAI, graced the occasion and presented awards to all the winners. In all 182 organizations in different categories viz. Corporate/Non-corporate/NGO/Network of Organizations participated, out of which 8 were awarded Gold Trophies and 3 with commendations.
The fifth in the series of EMPI-Indian Express Indian Innovation Awards is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2012, at Regency Ball Room, Hyatt Regency, Ring Road, New Delhi, with Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Government of India, gracing the occasion as chief guest.
Each award has a story to say. Covering the stories of these winning organizations, directed towards the understanding of innovation and organizational phenomena is an incredible task. We believe that we are doing our part, in unique ways of an ‘Innovation Movement’, thus taking forward the effectiveness of social organizational innovations on a wider platform and for a better India.
Note: This is a sponsored article and has NOT been written by the PaGaLGuY Editorial Team. It is intended from an informational perspective only and it is upto the readers to research and verify the claims and judgements in the article before reaching a conclusion.