KSInC & Google launch Innovation Karnataka, present awards

A McKinsey study states that internet could potentially contribute up to USD 100 billion by 2015. Given the extraordinary employment potential of the internet, it is vital to create an environment where local innovators are inspired and recognised for their a global impact.

Karnataka State Innovation Council (KSInC) and Google announced the Innovation Karnataka initiative and presented awards to four innovators from Karnataka - Kanaja, Sakala, mDhil and RedBus. Through the newly released "Innovation Karnataka" report and the selection of Innovation Corps, this partnership has identified opportunities to foster a culture of innovation and is recognizing Karnataka's role models who are positively contributing to society and the economy.

In the course of researching the Innovation Karnataka report discussions were held with stakeholders and innovators from Karnataka, and the policies that are key to driving innovation were discussed, including supporting entrepreneurs to doing business online, nurturing a transparent regulatory environment, improving access to the Internet and physical infrastructure and developing and promoting the importance of human capital

Commenting on the initiative, Professor H.P.Khincha, Chairman, KSInC said, "In these challenging economic times and a shaky global future, it is imperative that we stay ahead of the curve and consolidate Karnataka's place as innovators. We want to amplify the impact of Internet-driven innovation as more and more Indians come online."

As part of the Innovation Karnataka initiative, four Innovation Corps from Karnataka were presented awards for using the Internet to make a positive difference in addressing a social, economic or community challenge. The Innovation Corps under the Innovation Karnataka initiative are:
Kanaja: An encyclopedic knowledge portal in Kannada, inspired by the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. Encouraging Kannada-speakers to increase their usage of online resources, it was created to compile all the data available in the Kannada language and disseminate knowledge, empowering Karnataka to be a vibrant knowledge society.
RedBus: People in India used to spend a lot of time queuing up for bus and train tickets. Today, Redbus allows people to buy tickets and check bus timetables online, even selecting their seats beforehand. The service, started in Bangalore, covers 4,500 routes across India. RedBus has also built an interface for bus operators to check timetables and number of sales.
mDhil: Timely access to healthcare information can save lives. With this in mind, mDhil set out to create an interactive and fun online portal providing basic health information via mobile phones and the web. The site also maintains a YouTube channel, which has attracted over 5.6 million views to date. on It provides valuable information on sexual health, emotional wellness, cardiac health, fitness, and more. mDhil now regularly reaches more than 30,000 users a day, and the number is only set to grow radically as more users access the Internet.
Sakala: Improved delivery of government services and procurement process are essential to Karnataka's growth.  In Kannada, Sakala means ‘in-time' or ‘good-time'.  The Sakala slogan, ‘No more delays, we deliver on time' highlights the Karnataka Government's commitment to deliver services on time. With a comprehensive government services portal, Sakala aims to ensure that technology becomes a leveller for all citizens across Karnataka - be it a rural village in Bidar or the IT capital of India