I am very happy to note the commencement of the Innovation Council at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. I wish all those engaged in this endeavour the very best. May your efforts bear fruits which will benefit society and which will please Bhagawan.Societal benefit should be the very foundation of innovation. In fact, this university is a testimony of Innovation at a conceptual level. Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Revered founder Chancellor of this University, has offered a unique innovative model in education to the society.

 By establishing schools and colleges where high-quality education is provided free of cost to the students, He has given a model where one part of the working society invests in the growing society to create an able and conscientious workforce that works for its benefit.Each of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s projects, whether it be taking healthcare to the doorstep through the Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital, or providing drinking water to hundreds of villages and thousands of households through an innovative partnership between the government (which gave the designs), commercial institution (in this case Larsen & Toubro – which executed the project), a non-governmental organisation, in this case the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which provided the entire funds, and the common people (who gave access to their lands for laying the pipes), He demonstrated that at the heart of innovation lies compassion. Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, the former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and also the President of Indian National Science Academy, in one of his talks, spoke about three qualities to be imbibed in graduates – innovation, passion and compassion.

 I would like to present these three terms in the following order – Compassion, Passion and Innovation. The foundation of innovation has to be compassion. Compassion flows from a desire to solve a problem. The problem could be a local or global one. Compassion or the intense desire to resolve issues must turn into a passion. By passion, I mean, the effort and skill necessary to find the solution to the problem. When intent, effort and skill come together, innovation is bound to happen. In recent years, India has witnessed a significant shift in its approach to education, including academic institutions at the university level. With a growing emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, academic institutions must strive to create an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students. By exposing students to real-world problems and encouraging them to develop innovative solutions, academic institutions must promote a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

 Furthermore, academic institutions must focus on interdisciplinary research and forge collaboration as a means to drive innovation. By breaking down traditional silos between disciplines, institutions must create opportunities for researchers from diverse backgrounds to come together and tackle complex problems from multiple perspectives. This interdisciplinary approach not only fosters innovation but also helps to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today, such as climate change, healthcare, and technology.

 Traditionally, well-funded academic institutions have been pioneers in innovation whether it be process or product patenting. However, now there is a need, more than ever, that even smaller, more local institutions such as ours, take up local challenges and find high-quality and affordable solutions to resolve these. These challenges could be in the fields of health-care, education, agriculture, industry etc., at local or national level. In the current times, when technologies are shrinking the world and making it far more interconnected, I believe that the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning will make earnest efforts not only to capitalise on this momentum but also add to it. Let innovation at SSSIHL be driven by compassion for society and passion for studies

The Sri Sathya Sai Institutions, comprising the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS), Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, and Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospitals have several pioneering initiatives. These include Values-based Educational Programs at the university level, free Healthcare and Outreach Programs – a first in the country and possibly the world, at the hospitals. Currently, the institutions are dedicated to consolidating strengths for cutting-edge research, exemplified by investments in Interdisciplinary Translational research and collaborations with global leaders in various fields.

The present focus of SSSIHL spans disciplines of national and international importance, such as regenerative medicine, pharmaceuticals, natural products, nanotechnology, plasmonics, computational modelling, and green technologies for a sustainable environment. Aligned with its vision as an Innovation University, ongoing multidisciplinary projects in Biosciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Sciences, along with collaborations with sister institution SSSIHMS and other renowned organizations, underscore the institution’s commitment to advancement.

SSSIHL’s forward-looking vision is reinforced by its Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), functioning as a catalyst for creativity, ideation, and implementation. SSSIHL-IIC drives a culture that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and unconventional thinking. It serves as a platform for brainstorming, hackathons, and innovation challenges, fostering an ecosystem where individuals explore innovative solutions.

Moreover, SSSIHL-IIC plays a pivotal role in bridging academia and industry, facilitating knowledge transfer and collaboration, thus contributing to both academic and economic growth. SSSIHL-IIC also serves as an incubator for startups within Sri Sathya Sai Institutions, providing guidance, resources, and mentorship to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses. Beyond this, it evaluates and implements best practices in innovation management, ensuring institutions remain adaptable and responsive.

 India Startup Day symbolises the country’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, acknowledging achievements and contributions of startups to the socio-economic landscape. It reflects the diverse and inclusive nature of the startup ecosystem, recognizing contributions across sectors like technology, healthcare, agriculture, education, and sustainability. The day serves as a platform for stakeholders to converge, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities through seminars, conferences, and networking events.

 India Startup Day also recognises the role of the government and support organizations in fostering the startup ecosystem. Initiatives like Startup India, incubation centres, funding schemes, and regulatory reforms are acknowledged. The day embodies the vision of India as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs, and instilling confidence in investors. It signifies resilience, creativity, and ambition, reminding everyone of the endless possibilities and potential within the Indian startup ecosystem.

To quote Revered Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, “The scientific knowledge we acquire today must be used for the benefit of the fellowmen. Unless the results of the research are applied in practice, it will be an expensive futility.” Thus, SSSIHL with its multidisciplinary and translational research programs plays a vital role in the startup ecosystem of India to strive towards larger societal benefits.

Great ideas come in all forms—some big, some small, some transformative. But the true test of an idea is simple: How can this serve?

At SSSIHL’s Innovation and Incubation Center, this question drives everything we do. We bear the responsibility—and the challenge—of taking ideas beyond ambition and into impact. Every effort, every project, and every entrepreneur we support must be rooted in values, guided by purpose, and built to uplift society.

SSSIHL has given its students a rare kind of education—one that sharpens the intellect and strengthens the heart. But turning knowledge into action is not always easy. It requires rigor, resilience, and the ability to truly understand the challenges we seek to solve. The path from inspiration to execution is filled with challenges, but no one walks it alone.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba envisioned students who embody “the head of Shankara, the heart of Buddha, and the hands of Janaka.” This is the foundation of meaningful innovation — compassionate innovation that IIC champions.

Bhagawan often shared the story of Mother Kunti, who saw challenges as opportunities for growth. We embrace this mindset. To make this approach real, we integrate structured methodologies like Design Thinking. This is not a theory—it is practiced every day. A powerful example is our Annual Sports Meet, where students design and execute complex initiatives, learning firsthand the discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving needed to bring ideas to life, year after year. These experiences are not extracurricular—they are fundamental training for building solutions that are thoughtful, scalable, and impactful. This also ensures that innovation here is not just about technology or business—it is about creating solutions that matter.

Beyond methods and mindsets, SSSIHL offers a unique ecosystem for innovation. Our hostels, classrooms, and collaborative spaces are designed to foster engagement and shared learning. The IIC expands on this by providing mentorship, structured programs, and exposure to emerging technologies, ensuring that students have both the guidance and the tools to bring their ideas to fruition.

We are actively embracing new technologies, contemporary problem-solving frameworks, and entrepreneurial thinking. Our ongoing webinars, incubation programs, and industry collaborations equip students with the skills and networks they need to create tangible impact.

To every student, alumni, and partner walking this journey with us—know that you are supported. Your dedicated efforts not only serve society but also uphold the profound vision and values laid down by Bhagavan. We are here to guide, collaborate, and help bring your vision to life. This is a journey of purpose, and we are honored to walk it with you.

At Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), we are committed to providing a holistic educational experience that blends academic excellence with values-based leadership. Our campus has been a hub of transformative learning, hosting a range of events that nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and service-oriented leadership.”

The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) stands as a beacon of creativity, entrepreneurship, and values-driven innovation. The Leadership Team at SSSIHL is deeply committed to fostering an ecosystem that nurtures the spirit of innovation while staying rooted in the institute’s core values of selfless service and excellence.

The Leadership Team believes that innovation should be driven by a higher purpose. Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah,President, a key member of the council, states, “At SSSIHL, innovation is deeply intertwined with our values. We encourage our students to develop solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also sustainable and inclusive.”

The council’s role in shaping future leaders: “The mission is to empower students with the skills, mindset, and values needed to excel in a rapidly evolving world. Through initiatives like startup mentoring, expert sessions, and hands-on projects, we ensure that our students are not only industry-ready but also socially responsible.”

Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) Initiatives: Encouraging students to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation through workshops, hackathons, and startup mentorship programs.

Achievements and Future Goals Under the guidance of the Leadership Team, the IIC has achieved significant milestones, including successful startups, impactful research projects, and recognition at national and international levels. Looking ahead, the team is focused on expanding the council’s reach and impact.

The Leadership Team’s unwavering dedication to fostering innovation, coupled with their emphasis on values and holistic development, makes the Institution’s Innovation Council at SSSIHL a model for others to emulate. Their vision and efforts continue to inspire students and faculty to push the boundaries of what is possible

When I was a school-going girl, I learnt byheart from General Knowledge books, names of inventors/ inventions. Thus I mindlessly learnt that Edison invented the bulb, Marconi, the radio, and Galileo, the telescope. We considered them great minds to be treated with awe, and did not think beyond.
Today the buzz word is ‘innovation’, and I hear very few using the word ‘invention’. That set me thinking. And I asked the all-powerful Co-pilot for an answer. This is what I got:
Invention refers to the creation of something entirely new—an original idea, product, process, or method that did not previously exist. On the other hand, innovation goes beyond invention by emphasizing the application, improvement, and commercialization of ideas to create value in the real world.

Thus, Edison’s carbon filament light bulb of 1879 has evolved into the LED bulbs with smart technology in 2025. That is moving from invention to innovation!?

Similarly, the first handheld mobile phone by Martin Cooper of Motorola in 1973, used a handset weighing c. 2 kilograms. Today an iPhone weighs about 150 gms, while adding to the phone a camera, a dictionary, a calculator, a TV and what not!

Invention is primary; innovation is a follow up. Innovation is driven by sheer curiosity; innovation, by a need to find solutions to daily challenges and problem. Invention happens in the solitude of a laboratory; innovation occurs in the din and discussion of the society. Invention does not worry about commercialisation; innovation thinks right up to the business process, marketing and profits!

The schooling we offer should trigger inventiveness, imagination and an intense desire to improve life. Our education should make sensitive individuals who notice problems, care to address them, will work towards solutions, and make a difference!

Cheers to IIC- which pitches for innovation, incubation & involution!