From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, April 19: As part of its drive to ensure better nutrition for people of Karnataka, the State Government of Karnataka KBITS, start-up cell of Government of Karnataka, jointly with IKP Knowledge Park, launched the Fourth Call for proposals under the Grand Challenges – Karnataka initiative. 

Interested applicants can register through www.impact-karnataka.org until May 31, 2017.

Grand Challenges – Karnataka, which is an initiative under Karnataka Start-up Policy, looks for new technologies or innovations that can solve longstanding problems of Karnataka in priority areas like Urban Development, Agriculture, Health, Education, and Nutrition.

The programme aims to channelize innovations for social impact and support growth of start-ups. While KBITS is the funding agency, IKP Knowledge Park (IKP) is acting as the implementation partner.

The challenge statement for the Fourth Call is: “Innovative interventions aimed at tackling Under-nutrition and Calorie-Protein-Micronutrient Deficiencies in children and adults, for testing and scaling up in Karnataka”.

The State Government will use the vibrant start-up environment to drive innovation with the help of technology to find workable and scalable solutions to society’s challenges.

This model of Grand Challenges is aimed at highlighting 5 new challenges every year and invite ideas to solve them, selected through a rigorous process.

These ideas shall be awarded an initial grant and will also be provided with funds for implementation of a pilot project at an appropriate scale.

The First Challenge was to build a technology-enabled system for solving the issues of monitoring sewage discharge in urban areas. Three proposals have been finalized for the Award.

The Second Challenge was on innovative solutions for a technology enabled system to detect and provide physiological or morphological parameters for early detection and warning of plant diseases and pest infestation in different crops. Five proposals have been finalized for the Award.

The Third Challenge is on healthcare sector for building a technology-enabled system to ensure effective delivery of primary health services through meaningful, transparent and democratic engagement of communities. Scrutiny of the proposal is underway.

“Grand Challenges is a unique initiative under Karnataka’s Start-up Policy, to scout for new technologies or innovations that can offer solutions to some of the long-standing issues pertaining to the state. I am confident that this initiative, will channelize innovations for social impact, and help the state attain a long-term solution for malnutrition,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

Minister for IT, BT and Tourism Priyank Kharge, said: “Bengaluru is a hub for innovations. Sharing and transferring these innovations through a public private partnership can help solve many issues in the State. While the plan is to launch Calls around 5 priority areas, already the Department has identified eight awardees under Call 1 and Call 2, the proposals received under Call 3 are under evaluation.’’

``Today I would like to announce the launch of the Fourth Call for Proposals which is on Nutrition. We hope that at the end of two years we will have the required system which will fill the vacuum in the Indian market for affordable nutrient rich food that appeal to all for all age groups and genders at the bottom of the pyramid,’’ the minister said.

The Karnataka Start-up Policy is aimed to facilitate creation of at least 25 Innovative Technology solutions to bring in changes in sectors such as healthcare, food security, clean environment and education.

Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T Gaurav Gupta, said: “Grand Challenges – Karnataka is a one of its kind initiative where the State intends to use the vibrant startup environment to drive innovation through use of technology.’’

``With the help of Karnataka Comprehensive Nutrition Mission, the department has formulated the Challenge Statement considering the actual need of the state with Nutrition as the subject.  The launch of Call 4 aims to propel innovations in the area of effective delivery of low-cost, energy-dense, and nutrition-rich dietary-supplements.”