Kuttikkanam: The student community gets a rare opportunity to familiarise itself with rural innovations and indigenous knowledge at a festival to be organised at the Marian College here. The event, named 'SRISTI 2020 - Marian Rural Innovation Fest', will be held here on Friday (Jan 31).

The major objectives of the fest are to provide a platform and opportunity for students to interact and learn from award–winning rural innovators and to showcase innovative rural and indigenous knowledge–based products of innovators and women self-groups.

"It is crucial to learn about indigenous knowledge practices developed by local community as they are gaining more and more importance especially in the wake of climate change as well as food and nutritional insecurity," noted Titus J Sam, organiser of Marian Rural Innovation Fest, in a press release.

Talks and shows by award–winning rural innovators are also planned.

Exhibition of traditional knowledge products and rural innovations will be a major attraction. School and college students may present any innovative products made from local materials. These include any ornament, toy or decorating materials made from local agricultural products or their waste; nutritive beverages made from local products, painting from herbal extracts;  bamboo or other plant-based products, etc.

The exhibitors may also showcase any useful articles made from agri products, unique traditional recipes or traditional food-related products.

The products should be made by students themselves and the exhibitors should explain the process and details in front of an expert committee. 

Best exhibits/products will be given prizes. Rs 1,000 awaits the best exhibits. Prizes will be based on uniqueness, relevance, scalability, quality and presentation.

Students may participate either individually or in groups.

Support will be given to selected students for incubation of their knowledge into rewarding business.

Interested students may register for competition on or before, 12 pm, January 30, 2020, on the official website of college: www.mariancollege.org

Contact for more details: 82818 21151.