News

Moa Subong, a musician from Nagaland and also the backbone of the band Abiogenesis, was awarded for his innovative contribution towards traditional music during the Ninth Biennial Award for Grassroots Innovations and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 4.

During the inaugural function of the week long ‘Festival of Innovations’, the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee gave the national award to Moa Subong for his invention of the musical instrument ‘Bamhum’.

The newly invented musical instrument ‘Bamhum’ was unveiled by the then Governor of Meghalaya, MM Thomas, on May 3, 2005, during the international Bamboo Festival In Shillong.

National Innovation Foundation made a countrywide search for innovators, shortlisting 33,000 innovators through intensive screening and selection process for two years. Afterwhich 17 innovators including, Moa Subong, were awarded with the national level award while the rest 15 innovators were awarded the state level award.

After the invention of the Bamhum, a major contribution in exposing the instrument and garnering attention towards the instrument was brought about by Arenla, the front lady of the band Abiogenesis.

Moa was also selected along with nine other Innovators from different parts of the country for the Innovative Scholars In-Residence Programme starting from March 4 to 18, who are now residing at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and will participate in the events of the Festival of Innovation which includes Exhibitions, Global Roundtable meetings on Inclusive

Innovation to be attended by top innovation leaders of the world and several noble laureates, Various Awards Functions, Dinner at Ceremonial Hall to be hosted by the President, visits to smart gram, Historical places, tour Rashtrapati Bhawan and Mughal Gardens, Call On The President in Cabinet Room, meeting with Ministers and Senior Government Officials, Media Interaction and wind off with the Valedictory Function on March 18.

The Festival of Innovation is a unique initiative by the Office of the President of India to recognise, respect and reward grassroots innovations and foster a supportive ecosystem. Hosted in the month of March at The President’s House, the FOIN has become a national celebration of creativity and innovation at the grassroot level. President of India Pranab Mukherjee, has exhorted all segments of the Indian society to converge their efforts to make India inclusive, innovative and responsive to the aspirations of common people.