Innovation and the application of modern science are powerful engines of change. That they have particular relevance to development and to the alleviation of poverty was already obvious to the founders of the Union, whether of the Nehruvian or the Gandhian persuasion. The need for research has been acknowledged by most leaders since independence: research at the frontiers of (western) knowledge by some; research to uncover forgotten (traditional, indigenous) knowledge by others.
   
The truth, as always, lies somewhere in between. More knowledge, both new and old, is needed if we are to rescue our country from the economic, social and political catastrophe towards which it is now clearly and rather speedily headed. Yet, our performance since independence in this sphere is strikingly dismal — a failure that belongs as much to the somnolent scientific community as it does to the power-hungry but short- sighted governments that have gradually usurped the peoples’ initiative and assumed responsibility even for their creativity.
  
Whether "modem" or "traditional", research supported by society must fundamentally have the attributes of excellence and relevance without which science can be at best a peripheral, or at worst a dangerous, enterprise. Whatever the cultural basis or direction and intent of the scientific enquiry, it does have to satisfy the primary requirements of truth and constructiveness. Concepts such as originality and verifiability are just as important, but their precise meaning and operational implications will have to be defined by each society in the light of its own needs.
   
Despite massive support from public finances, science in India has nor fulfilled its promise. Neither the academic or public research institutions, nor the private sector has been able to begin addressing the pervasive problems of poverty, pollution and population growth that afflict our country.
   
Our most immediate concern is how can innovation, of whatever type desired, be enriched and accelerated?
   
Innovation is done by people, men and women who have their professional and individual motivations for pursuing knowledge and discovering new (or forgotten) concepts and things. These motivations are spurred by the hope of rewards of one kind or another: greater knowledge, social recognition, peer approval, financial gain. The reward systems of a given scientific community are critical determinants of the quality and direction of scientific research that is undertaken.
  
Today, the bulk of the reward systems in science are geared to promote, worldwide, research that is of interest to industrialised societies. That is why so little science has been conducted in the South. And much less that is for the South: In this area, as in so many others, India provides a typical example.
   
Sustainable development needs breakthroughs that cut across the boundaries of conventional disciplines and sectors. Creativity and originality of the type that leads to an effective multidisciplinary knowledge base has to be imaginatively bred and carefully nurtured. Organisational policies, programmes and facilities must be specifically designed to promote the personal and professional growth of staff members and to encourage intellectual excellence, the spirit of enquiry and a high level of performance.
   
To achieve these aims, the work environment has to be highly participative and as non-bureaucratic and non-hierarchical as local conditions will allow. The organisational and material support systems must be friction-free to facilitate and expedite the conduct of high quality research without encumbering scientists with unnecessary routine duties. The innovative person must be provided with well-equipped facilities for his or her work, and opportunities to maintain a good two way communication with peers elsewhere, through scholarly journals, meetings, sabbaticals and other information exchange mechanisms.
  
Moreover, it should be apparent from the foregoing argument that the critical areas requiring innovation are not only technological hardware and software, but institutional design and S&T policy. New types of hybrid non-profit organisations are needed that can combine private sector approaches with effective means to achieve sustainable socio-economic development in the Third World. Development Alternatives and TARA are an attempt to show the way in this direction.
   
Appropriate Innovation
   
Though the TARA technologies cover the whole range of the rheostat, some of the prominent ones are:

– TARA Tile Maker
   
– TARA Balram Mudblock Press
  
– Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln Technology
  
– TARA Concrete Block Making Machine
   
– TARA Handmade Paper
  
– TARA Mini Paper Recycling System
  
– TARA Handlooms and Accessories
   
– TARA Pollution Testing Kit
  
TARA Tile Maker
   
The dream of roofing the millions of homeless people of India would only come true once the cost of roofing a house is affordable for the man in the street. In fact, one could easily construct the four walls of a house with sun-baked clay bricks or some other cheap construction material but when it comes to roofing, the cost really hits the ceiling. And, if one does build a cheap roof it may not be durable enough. So, TARA gives an offer which one can not refuse - a roofing tile which does not cost the earth and is durable, apart from being an economically viable proposition for the homeless.
   
These tiles are called the Micro Concrete Roofing (MCR) tiles and are sold under the brand name of TARAcrete. Made of cement and sandstone, the TARAcrete roofing tiles are affordable, light, leak-proof and long lasting. These tiles allow total creative freedom to architects and engineers to design a variety of roof forms, without worrying about the cost factor. The machine used for producing these MCR tiles, known as the TARA Tile Maker, is also manufactured by TARA.
   
A product of intensive R&D, carried out by the Technology Systems Branch of Development Alternatives, the TARA Tile Maker makes roofing tiles of international quality. TARA also provides training in MCR tile-making technology to small, local, entrepreneurs so that they get a chance to earn up to 10,000 rupees each month.
   
TARA Balram Mud Block Press

The Compressed Earth Block (CEB) technology has proved to be an economical and a time-tested masonry system. It is an environmentally sound technology since the only energy it utilises is that of the sun to bake the mud bricks which are compressed in a manually operated machine. These mud bricks are as good as burnt mud bricks in terms of strength and load-bearing capacity.
   
Stabilising them with 4 to 6 percent of cement, makes the stabilised mud brick a durable and affordable product. Currently, these sun-baked bricks are being prolifically used in constructing residential and community buildings in both urban and rural regions. The machine used for making these compressed bricks is known as the TARA Balram.

TARA Balram, manufactured and marketed by TARA, is a simple, rugged, machine that compresses ordinary soil into dense masonry units with strength and water resistance, engineered as per the need. These compressed soil blocks can be used for a variety of construction applications to make strong buildings. TARA Balram’s operation process can be learnt in just a few days and the training is provided by TARA at their centres in Delhi, Jhansi and Bangalore, besides users’ sites.

This technology is a boon for the conventional brick makers who are still using the age-old technology of piling crude clay bricks in a heap and burning them with a non-renewable energy resource like coal. The VSBK technology provides the best quality bricks with the least energy consumption due to its efficient design.

The Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln comprises one or more shafts which are loaded at the top with sun-dried mud bricks for firing purposes .The firing zone is in the middle. The fired bricks are cooled by the draught of air moving up from below. They are lowered down with the help of a trolley which is moved out to unload the bricks from the bottom of the kiln. There is no wastage of heat in VSBK, hence it is a highly energy-efficient technology.
   
Thus, VSBK has a positive impact on forests, climate change and the local air-quality.
   
Ferrocement Roofing Channels
  
The ferrocement technology package for roofing, developed by DA, utilises state-of-the-art design principles to manufacture reinforced shells, commonly called channels. They are produced on specially designed vibrating tables and profiled moulds. The production system is uniquely tailored to provide special details, consistent shape and thickness – all crucial for high performance. The channels made with an optimised proportion of cement, sand and water, have a very high density, are impervious to penetration of water and provide high structural strength. Ferrocement roofing channels produced on mechanised equipment can be used for intermediate floor applications as well. This technology offers a viable alternative to conventional flat roofing systems such as reinforced cement concrete, reinforced brick cement, sand stones, etc. in both rural and urban areas of the country.
   
TARA Concrete Block Making Machine
   
Concrete Block Technology offers a speedier, economical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional walling materials. It is based on the principle of densification of a lean concrete mix to make a regular shaped, uniform, high performance masonry unit. Concrete Block Technology can be easily adapted to suit the special needs of users by modifying design parameters such as the mix proportion, water/cement ratio and the type of production system. It is an effective means of utilising the waste generated by stone crushers, quarrying and stone processing units. The technology has a high potential in regions where the raw material is easily available.
   
The TARA concrete block making machine provides the optimum vibration in the concrete mix so that the ratio of cement used can be reduced substantially without compromising on the strength of the blocks. On an average, around 800 blocks can be made in eight hours by one skilled and six or seven semi-skilled workers.
   
TARA Handmade Paper
   

The mill-made paper currently used is an extremely costly proposition as it amounts to an endless systematic deforestation. Valuable resources like bamboo are dwindling at a pretty fast pace as the paper mills literally feed on them. So, it is essential to have a technology which prevents the mining of our resources. Hence the need for the TARA handmade paper, a technology which entails recycling of cellulose-rich waste like cotton rags and waste paper. The beauty of this technology is that it does not use any chemical in the entire process of making the handmade paper. But more important than all these features, TARA handmade paper unit is a tool to empower women economically. It provides them employment and a sense of ownership and pride as they run the entire unit all on their own.     The manufacturing systems of the TARA handmade paper technology are carefully optimised to produce paper of the highest quality at competitive rates. The basic raw material for the manufacture of handmade paper comprises cotton rags, denim waste, craft waste and waste paper. A TARA mini paper recycling system is designed for schools, voluntary organisations, hobby shops and vocational training purposes. The idea behind the creation of this mini system or ‘baby paper plant’ was to create awareness regarding the recycled handmade paper. Hence, this appropriate micro-technology.

TARA handmade paper unit - A tool to empower Women

The TARA handmade paper and paper products are in high demand globally due to their environment-friendly attributes, aesthetic appeal and uniqueness. Some of these ready-to-use paper products are - lamp shades, gift boxes, carry bags, lap top boxes, files, letter pads, diaries as well as conference bags.
   
TARA Handlooms and Accessories
   
The TARA Handloom technology reduces the drudgery of traditional weavers, especially women, by improvising the conventional loom. The TARA Loom has upgraded the traditional loom by introducing advanced features like the flying-shuttle which weaves more cloth with the same effort. Apart from features like the fly-wheel and steel frame for higher efficiency, it has introduced a take-up mechanism for semi-automatic operation and a let-off mechanism for automatic tension control. Thus, it has proved to be a technology which is simple to operate, has high productivity and gives a superior quality fabric as compared to the traditional loom.
   
So, TARA has achieved a breakthrough in the handloom technology by inventing a loom that is as efficient as a powerloom and still does not need any electricity. A new generation weaving machine that combines versatility with the ease of operation, TARA Loom is ergonomically designed to conform to the traditional workmanship for producing more and better quality fabrics. TARA textiles have an unusually uniform weave and represent the best synthesis of powerloom and traditional fabrics. Elegant designs by master weavers in both ethnic and contemporary designs, are now in vogue everywhere.
   
TARA Pollution Testing Kits
  
Development Alternatives is constantly working towards alternatives which create a harmony between brother man and mother nature. So, it has designed kits to monitor the quality of the water we drink and the air we breathe. These kits indicate whether the level of pollution is within the prescribed safety limits or not.
   
Jal TARA and Pawan TARA are portable kits designed to test water and air pollution, respectively.
   
The Jal TARA kit can test 14 parameters of drinking water and river water quality to ensure whether the water is fit for consumption or not. It checks biological pathogens like the Coliform Bacteria, which spreads water-borne diseases like gastro-enteritis, dysentery and diarrhoea. Apart from checking physical parameters like the pH and turbidity, it also checks the presence of chemical hazards like fluorides, chlorides, residual chlorine, iron, phosphate and ammonia.
   
The Pawan TARA kit is so simple that the quality of air could be monitored even by small kids. It checks three parameters, namely - Respirable Particulate Matter, Sulphur dioxide and Oxides of nitrogen. This kit has proved to be more efficient than other brands of commercially available low volume air sampling kits in the market.
   
DESI Power
   
DESI Power is another TARA affiliate which has been set up to deliver electricity to far-flung rural communities which are not connected to the national power grid. The electricity, in this case, is produced from renewable biomass (like Ipomea) and agricultural waste. The gasifier turns the biomass into a gas through the process of pyrolysis and the gas, then, is used to produce electricity in diesel generators. The cost of electricity generated by this process is much lower than that produced by diesel generator sets and is even competitive with the grid supply, if available.
   
Thus, TARA and Development Alternatives, together, are surging towards a sustainable development paradigm where small is not only beautiful, but possible as well. After all, Mahatma Gandhi often used to state that: "I truly believe in production by the masses, not in mass-production."

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