A foot-operated page-turning machine and a walnut cracker designed to help local manufacturers are some of the interesting finds at this year's Festival of Innovation held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. 

The festival aims at encouraging innovators of all ages by providing them a platform to showcase their creations. The in-resident programme organised in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation also had writers and artistes as part of it. 

One of the most interesting products was the page-turning device, created by young Swapnanil Talukdar. 

The 19-year-old first year B-Tech student from Assamsaid his laziness led to the innovation but he is now confident that the device will be of great help to the differently-abled people. 

"I first started working on this project when I was in class XI. I am not into books and very lazy by nature. So as my project I thought of creating something which can make the task of turning book pages effortless. 

"The machine was electrically operated initially, but to make it easier and convenient I developed a manual version of it and decided to give it a new look, suitable for differently abled people," Swapnanil told PTI. 

The young innovator says he is lucky to be a part of the programme and now aims to reach out to libraries, schools and colleges with the help of the government. 

Dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, Swapnanil is also working on other projects with his young team in Assam. 

Another striking creation was the walnut peeler and cracker, created by Mushtaq Ahmedar of Kashmir. 

He took three years to design the electrically-operated machine, which he hopes will help the local manufacturers and reduce the time and effort they put in. 

"There is no such machine of this kind anywhere in the world. We have researched a lot and it is the first of its league. After displaying here we have already received four orders. I feel this innovation has huge market and will be a great help," Ahmedar said. 

Bamboo splint making machine by Lalbiakzuala Ralte and Lalpiangliana Sailo of Mizoram, N Akthimainthan's hand operated water lifting pump, natural water cooler by Arvindbhai Patel, Vinod Mahadeviah's coconut breaker were other exciting innovations at the festival. 

Other than innovators, the festival had a number of writers from the various parts of the country. 

Jwishri Boro, from Kokrajhar in Assam, is the first woman writer from the northeast to make it to the innovation program since it started. 

A short story and poetry writer, Jwishri said she was lucky to be a part of this program and it has developed a sense of confidence in her as she is also the second woman from the country, who was selected for it. 

"I am very happy that I got a chance to come here and meet so many creative minds. It has developed a sense of confidence in me. This journey has been a memorable one. I got a chance to meet the President and the Prime Minister. I gifted PM Modi a signed copy of my book and he accepted it graciously," Jwishri said.