The Union HRD Minister, Smt Smriti Irani today met the eight innovation scholars of the ‘In-Residence’ programme. The Innovation Scholars In-Residence Scheme was launched with a view to promote the spirit of innovation and give further impetus to the grassroots innovation activities.

As part of the 'In-Residence' Programme envisaged to encourage the creative and innovative potential of people and open up Rashtrapati Bhavan for greater participation and involvement of common man in its activities, the scheme was launched by the President of India Dr Pranab Mukherjee in 2013 to welcome creative persons - writers, artists and innovation scholars to stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The objectives of the Scheme are – to provide an environment to grassroots innovators in Rashtrapati Bhavan to work on a project in hand and take their innovative ideas forward; and to provide mentoring and support so that the innovations can be used for the progress and welfare of the society.