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Rajat Bansal
Commissioner, Raipur Municipal Corporation
Government of Chhattisgarh

Evolved to encourage innovation and support real talent, Think Raipur is the special initiative of Rajat Bansal, Commissioner, Raipur Municipal Corporation, Government of Chhattisgarh, explores Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN) in a special interview.

What is the overview of Think Raipur?

Think Raipur is a wide-scale organised event aimed to encourage and invite ideas from people across the country to create India’s first people-powered smart city – built on the pillars of innovation from the people themselves.

Right from simple one-step ideas to complex innovations, all projects selected under Think Raipur will aim to make Raipur smarter, better and more holistic.

Participants will have the opportunity to transform their innovations — something as simple as a summer project or a research endeavour — into real world entrepreneurial ideas.

How can someone participate or benefit from Think Raipur?

Certainly, one can participate in it with the help of steps like:

• Call the toll-free number 1800- 200-1990 to register yourself
• Start using #ThinkRaipur and tag your Raipur Smart City and your college in every social media post you create and put up. The more you post, the further up the leaderboard you get. The college with the most number of posts get additional points during evaluation
• Attend the launch event @ NITRaipur on 9th and 10th September, 2017
• Note your deadline and submit your ideas in the stipulated time period
• Evaluation of ideas will take into account the concept, viability and sustainability
• Post final date of submission, top ideas shall be selected via strict evaluation criteria to receive awards
• Funding up to Rs 1 Crore will be made available for the most viable and implementable ideas.
• Selection and finalisation of ideas rests solely at the discretion of the Thinktank, and no further discussions shall be entertained on the same.

How can someone submit his or her ideas to leverage Think Raipur initiative?

The structure is based on the “Pitch Your Project” concept. It is organised to provide participants with an opportunity that can transform their innovation — something as simple and small scale initiative as their summer project or a research endeavour — into real world entrepreneurial ideas. Here, we examine your ability to evaluate the market, customer needs, and product usability. Your plan of action to safeguard the intellectual rights of your product (majorly by creating entry barrier) and your future research goals associated with the same product or plans to launch parallel products.

Does one have to undergo screening? What is the procedure to evaluate?

There are namely two rounds:

Screening Round –

Participating teams need to fill up the abstract form detailing the abstract of their idea. Shortlisting for the next round will be done basis of this abstract.

Final Round –

Shortlisted participants have to give a presentation of their abstract in front of the ThinkTank. They will make a detailed presentation of 15-20 minutes elaborating on their project and implementation plan..

5-10 minutes are reserved for questions raised by judges, if any.

What is the eligibility to participate?

Participation is open to all. The participants should be Indian citizens. Top three ideas shall be selected on the basis of:

Innovation and Relevance

This criterion checks the creative aspect of the idea and its real-world impact in terms of the city of Raipur. The idea needs to be fresh, innovative and relevant to improving life in the city.

Sustainability

The ideas need to not just be implementable but sustain in the long run. The best ideas are ones that have potential to grow, expand or evolve as the city grows with time.

Viability

This criterion checks whether the idea is implementable or not. The participant is required to have done viability checks for the idea they submit. In case of shortlisting to the second round, the same will need to be detailed out and presented.

What can one hope for on being shortlisted for Think Raipur?

Every selected idea is recognised and rewarded. Prizes up to Rs 5 lakhs to be won.

Institutional

Students

• Call the toll-free number 1800- 200-1990 to register yourself
• Use #ThinkRaipur and tag your Raipur Smart City and your college in every social media post you create and put up.
• l Spread the word and get maximum support for your college till 9th Sept, 2017
• Attend the launch event @ NITRaipur on 9th and 10th September, 2017
• Note your deadline and submit your ideas in the stipulated time period
• Keep an eye on your inbox for periodic updates
• Ideas need to be on the lines of:

1. Hariyar Raipur
2. Compassionate Raipur
3. Rising Raipur
4. Shining Raipur
5. Badhiya Raipur
6. Digital Raipur
7. Any other ideas to make Raipur a true people’s smart city.

Clubs

Create a Mor Raipur Club within your institution. This club will comprise the student ambassadors as well as enterprising young individuals. Upon commencement of Think Raipur and its allied projects, the Mor Raipur Club will be the one-point contact between SmartCity Raipur and the Institution.

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