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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260424
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260427
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SUMMARY:The Frugal Innovation Forum
DESCRIPTION:The Frugal Innovation ForumA tale of two countries. In France\, the ecological consequences of overconsumption and resource depletion have led to the creation of a vibrant “low-tech” ecosystem. These movements promote frugal production methods\, often drawing on older solutions to address modern challenges. Some even advocate “degrowth” to curb the resource-intensive lifestyles of 21st-century France. \nIn India\, frugality is not as much of an option as a necessity. Confronted with deep inequalities and limited access to resources\, Indians must continually maximize what is available : whether launching startups\, running rural schools\, or executing space missions on extremely tight budgets. This Indian frugality also thrives in high-technology sectors\, exemplified by the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 probe at the Moon’s south pole—achieved with a remarkably modest €68.7 million budget. \nAs both nations face mounting social\, environmental\, and economic pressures — alongside the rapid rise of AI — how can human-centered frugal innovation help address these crises? And how might France and India collaborate here more effectively? \nThese questions lie at the heart of the The Frugal Innovation Forum\, co-curated with Mr. Navi Radjou. This event shall be held on 25 April 2026 at Science Gallery Bengaluru\, preceded by a workshop on frugal AI on 24 April. \nProgram schedule & agenda Science GalleryVenue partnerScience Gallery Bengaluru is a public institution that connects scientific research with art\, design\, and society through interdisciplinary exhibitions and programmes. Established in 2020 as part of the Global Science Gallery Network\, it is supported by the Government of Karnataka and leading academic partners including the Indian Institute of Science and the National Centre for Biological Sciences. The gallery engages young adults through interactive exhibitions\, workshops\, talks\, and public labs. With a focus on critical inquiry\, it serves as a platform for dialogue on science\, technology\, and contemporary social challenges in India and beyond. \nNavi RadjouNavi Radjou is an innovation strategist\, keynote speaker\, and co-author of the bestselling book Jugaad Innovation. He advises global corporations and public institutions on frugal innovation\, inclusive growth\, and sustainable business models. Recognized as one of the world’s leading management thinkers\, Radjou champions resource-efficient\, human-centered approaches to innovation that drive resilience and long-term impact across emerging and developed economies. \nREGISTER TO ATTENDProgrammeDay 1 - Friday\, April 24\, 2026Day 2 - Saturday\, April 25\, 2026Day 1 - Friday\, April 24\, 2026\nWorkshop on Frugal Artificial Intelligence \n2:30 pm – 5:00 pm: \nThe workshop will be led by Mr. Serish Venkata Gandikota at the Science Gallery\, Bengaluru. By invitation only. \n————————————————————————————————————— \nOpening of The Festival of Ideas\n7:00 pm: Discussion | Frugality and the Pursuit of Happiness\nWith Cédric Carles and Navi Radjou\, moderated by Vipasha Devi Tilak at the auditorium of Alliance Française de Bangalore \nArt Exhibition | World Without End\n8:30 pm: \nOpening of the exhibition “Un Monde Sans Fin” (World Without End) at the Alliance Française of Bangalore \n\nThe exhibition will be on view until 24th of May 2026\n\nDay 2 - Saturday\, April 25\, 2026\nScience Gallery \n9:30 am – 10:00 am: \nWelcome Coffee \n10:00 am – 10:07 am:\nWelcome speech by the Director of the Science Gallery\, Ms. Jahnavi Phalkey  \n10:07 am – 10:15 am:\nIntroductory remarks by the Consul General of France in Bangalore \n10:15 am – 10:30 am:\nKeynote by Mr. Navi Radjou | From Leapfrogging to Trailblazing: India’s Next Frontier in Frugal Innovation \n10:30 am – 11:00 am:\nTalk by Jagadish Babu | DPI Powered by AI – A Catalyst for Societal transformation leveraging the power of DPI and AI \n————————————————————————————————————— \n11:00 am – 11:30 am:\nBreak \n11:30 am – 12:00 pm:\nSpeech by Prof. Anil Gupta | Minds on the margins are not marginal minds: frugal & inclusive innovations from & for grassroots \n12:00 pm – 12:30 pm:\nPanel discussion with Serish Gandikota (Cambridge Frugal AI Hub)\, Neha Bhatnagar (Aspire Impact)\, Ushnisha Ghosh (British International Investment)\, and Starlene Sharma (Green Artha). Moderated by Dr. Madanmohan Rao (MXR.World) | Frugal AI for the Global South \n12:30 pm – 13:00 pm:\nA panel discussion between Dr. Vishal Rao (HCG Cancer Centre) and  Dr Suramya Asthana (IISc). Moderated by Mr. Abhishek Kumar (Wadhwani AI) | Frugal innovation in healthcare \n————————————————————————————————————— \n13:00 pm – 14:00 pm: \nLunch Break \n14:00 pm – 14:40 pm: \nA roundtable discussion between representatives of French innovation centres in India\, a conversation between Anita Loganathan (Renault Nissan)\, Siddharth Balachandran (Airbus Innovation Centre)\, Jyoti Pahadsingh (Société Générale)\, Ms. Rachna Verma (Schneider Electric) moderated by Mr. Navi Radjou | Made in India\, for the World \n14:40 pm – 15:20 pm:\nDiscussion between Mr P. Robert  and Ms K. Kalpana | Frugal science at ISRO: how it manages resource-efficient space missions\, and the role of women in Indian science \n15:20 pm – 16:00 pm:\nTalk by Mr. Cédric Carles | Retro Tech – Low Tech: A French research in frugal innovation \n————————————————————————————————————— \n16:00 pm – 16:30 pm:\nBreak \n16:30 pm – 17:10 pm:\nA panel discussion between Chitra Vishwanath (Biome Environmental Solutions)\, Sriram Kuchimanchi (Smarter Dharma)\, Sridevi Changali (Mason’s Ink)\, moderated by Prof. Champaka Rajagopal (Urban School\, SciencesPo\, Paris) | Frugal innovation in architecture\, and urban planning \n17:10 pm – 17:30 pm:\nTalk by Souresh Cornet | Hands-on learning of frugal innovation through academic projects \n17:30 pm – 18:00 pm:\nPresentation led by Vaibhav Chhabra | Prototyping and practical application of frugal innovation principles \n18:00 pm – 18:15 pm:\nClosing remarks by co-curator Mr. Navi Radjou \n18:30 – 19:00 pm:\nReception
URL:https://www.institutfrancaisindia.in/event/the-frugal-innovation-forum/
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