B4-2　Jugaad: A conventional formula to solve problems of people living in rural India

抄録

The paper attempts to highlight indigenous Jugaad practices of the people of villages in India. Jugaad has played an important role in solving problems. The style of innovations is defined by the kind of resource available and the availability of optional resources. It also outlines some conventional techniques and tools that are essentially found in the rural part of India. The paper presents two broad areas of product innovation in villages and towns of India. One being the design innovation and the other being the bare necessity of functional expectation for the masses. It includes a classification of these local innovations termed as Jugaad according to the type whether incremental, modular, architectural or radical. The innovation in India originated many centuries ago from the time of Indus valley civilization. Villages and towns remained distant to the available technology which is more enjoyed in the urban areas in terms of sharing the benefits of laboratory advancements of technology and innovations. Study of some Jugaad products such as knife, lamps etc. provide origin and evolution of Jugaad products. It also presents the different categories of product with regards to functionality technique and resources used. Jugaad innovators sense and respond to the social and environmental changes. The financial constraints, absence of need of procuring certification & validity, lack of cut throat competitions among other factors put an easier and simpler route of execution of Jugaad ideas. Jugaad presents creativity in its blatant and crude form. Jugaad innovations consider the affordability of the product or services in terms of the low earning villagers and towners. Being indigenous in nature such innovations are cheaper and exhibit less dependence on expensive resources. People with sufficient higher spending power often purchase branded products ranging from agriculture to household utility furniture. Much of village population depends on their livelihood they earn from agriculture. Agriculture is the main occupation in most rural part of India. Which indicates that most villages continue to flourish with their indigenous tools and techniques. However increased migration may potentially disturb the practice of indigenous innovations to some extent.