What does it take to make an innovation factory? The Indian word "jugaad" is actually a poignant reminder of an innovation factory existing at every nook and corner of the country. But does the juggad action lead a nation up the value chain? It might impact an individual and a few people around, but does it create a significant value for a large segment of the global economy?
I tried looking at some of the jugaads around me and sought answers to my questions. The first one is called JUGAAD! Can I have a better start? You can see the picture above. What makes this 'Jugaad' click so well. It is the economics and economics alone. Even after encountering numerous problems associated with home-made low technology product such as these, the end-user is happy to pay only a fractional cost compared to a commercially available product and yet achieve the end objective. Does it make the automotive industry in India or globally learn from such innovation? A few years back this question would not have gained any attention. Today, after the runaway success of Tata's Nano car, individuals, corporates and governments would realize the basic essence and importance of such innovation. After all, the most important and impactful innovation of human history, the wheel, was but just a wheel. Centuries later it gave birth to engines, cars, trains and enumerous other forms which assist us in our daily life.
The big question is, how do we spur such innovation at the bottom of the pyramid? Yours and my lifetime may not see such wheels doing anything impactful, but we will leave behind valuable discoveries for our grand-children and their grand-children to savour.
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