The “Most Gifted Boy” from the Gifted Nation India: Mushtaq Ahmad Dar. (Innovator)

Profiles S.F Ahmad from GIAN Cell, J&K, The University of Kashmir.
“A Mind is a Fire to be Kindled, Not a Vessel to be filled” This Plutarch’s saying fits well, to a young and promising innovator from the unceremonious sector of Jammu and Kashmir, namely Mushtaq Ahmad Dar who not only kindled his mind but also send off a strong message to the whole of India that to disregard unsung and unaided innovators from the informal sector at the grass root level is a big slip.
Mushatq Ahmad Dar unquestionably belongs to the second class of great men because he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth but he emerged as the finest innovator not only of his home state Jammu and Kashmir but the best innovator of the nation as well. This all Mushtaq attained because of his unbreakable work and his keen curiosity of doing ordinary work in an extraordinary fashion.
Born in 1982, in a distant village of Kreeri in Southern Kashmir some 100 kms away from the summer capital Srinagar, Mushtaq completed his schooling from Middle School Kreeri. Mushtaq failed to appear in the exams of 10th class because of his father’s death and this ill-timed death of Mr Gh Nabi Dar, father of Mushtaq Ahmad Dar became an obstacle in his educational line of business and till date he (Mushtaq) has failed to complete his 10th class examination.
If Mushtaq is to be believed then this ill timed bereavement of his father became the raison d'être of his voyage to the world of innovations and creativity and only after his father’s untimely death many crude concepts stuck his mind.
“I lost the whole lot, all optimism when i lost my father before the time age. Because after my father’s untimely death no one was primed or ready to give a lift to me, to provide me quality education and not to have a word of other life surviving possessions. This undeniably is the most unforgettable and most emotional incident of my life and surely this occasion of my life changed me once for all and i resolute to do a little but novel and innovative and today i reached that standing” narrates Mushtaq with tears in his eyes.
On one side Mushatq botched and failed to perform well in studies because of his father’s untimely death but the other side Mushatq started glowing in the world of Innovations and creativity. In 2005 he decided to work on some new-fangled and novel projects which in actuality will profit the people and this became the motive behind Mushatq’s first innovation “Walnut cracking machine” which in reality is the long felt need of the people of this vale aligned with the walnut industry. No doubt people of Jammu and Kashmir know little about Mushtaq and his innovations but undoubtedly Mushtaq has succeeded in fetching media treatment both in Local and National English ,Urdu dailies and impressed with the work of Mushatq “Kashmir Images” the leading circulated and first multi edition newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir being published simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir started a series of articles beneath the heading “ UNSUNG INNOVATORS” .Local television channels are no exception to this. More significantly this innovation has received inquiries from China, Greece and Korea.
“Walnut Cracking Machine is my original and initial innovation, and this was achievable only because of the shore up provided to me by University science Instrumentation Centre (USIC), The University Of Kashmir, National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Ahmadabad, GIAN North, Rajasthan, and GIAN Cell Jammu and Kashmir (University of Kashmir). They not only helped me fiscally but also encouraged me at every stride and provided all technical support. All Kudoos and honour to NIF, Ahmadabad, and USIC of the University of Kashmir, because solely speaking devoid of these two Institutions my innovations were not possible, not to speak of commercialising my innovations. At the same time i am in person obliged to Prof. G.M Bhat, Director UCIC and Chairman GIAN Cell Jammu and Kashmir for his support and back-up” says, Mushtaq Ahmad Dar.
If Mushtaq is to believed then his supreme triumph so far is his association with National Innovation Foundation, DST (Department Of Science and Technology) GOI, University of Kashmir, GIAN CELLS and other Honeybee networks. “Yes of course all recognition and praise goes to National Innovation Foundation and all the technical staff of USIC, Kashmir University, GIAN Cells and Honey Bee Networks, because it is National Innovation Foundation and The University of Kashmir which in truth and spirit induced the gene of creativity in me and i deem this was my biggest achievement so for. I have received fiscal support from NIF, KU, GIAN Cells and obviously devoid of financial support my ideas where of no use. Not only this my ideas were also improved into prototypes and modification, testing, customization of prototype and establishing business using my innovations was all carried out by NIF and University Science and Instrumentation Centre, Kashmir University ” added Mushtaq Ahmad Dar
Not only this, but after the WCM (WALNUT CRACKING MACHINE), Mushtaq Ahmad Dar in a very petite span of time came up with a new thought of “Tree Climber” on 15-03-2007. This idea was acceptable to one and all and when this idea was transformed into a product, this new innovation fascinated many faces and many profitable offers for commercialization of this product where received ranging from Uttaranchal Government to Power Development Department (PDD) of Jammu and Kashmir State.
“Yes obviously, this is my second innovation and this too was doable and possible with the support of all those persons who are linked with DST, NIF, KU and GIAN Cells. I got all financial, technical and moral support from these Organisations and beyond doubt i am indebted to Prof. A. K Gupta who is senior Professor IIM Ahmadabad and is also Vice Chairman National innovation Foundation” says Mushtaq Ahmad Dar.
As if these two innovations were not adequate for Mushtaq, “Cracker Mushatq”, comes up with the third innovation of “Almond Cracker” which is now equipped and is all set for commercialization and will hit the market stands after the upcoming conference at University Of Kashmir which will be attended by the Chief Minister of the State and will be jointly organised by the University of Kashmir and GIAN Cell Jammu and Kashmir.
“Yes almond cracker is all set for commercialation and will hit the stands in next month only. We have received all the support from National Innovation Foundation and we here at Kashmir University have lend full support to the innovations of Mushtaq Ahmad Dar. Mushtaq is in actuality doing well and in future we are expecting a lot from Mushtaq Ahmad” says Prof G.M Bhat Chairman GIAN Cell Jammu and Kashmir and Director, University Science Instrumentation centre, University Of Kashmir.
“Alongside side this, for the first time, in the times past of Kashmir, local innovations from local innovators that too from the unceremonious sector will knock the markets in near future. Kashmir University in corporation with NIF and GIAN Cell is organising a two–day long workshop for the commercialization of these homemade innovations and most decisively we here at USIC and at GIAN Cell are committed to lend a hand to bump up these unsung and unaided grass root innovators” added Prof. G.M Bhat.
The fortitude and spirit of innovating new things is gaining impetus with every passing day in Mushatq who is yet to complete his 10th standard examination and after meeting NIF, KU and GIAN cells which serves the best platform for Mushtaq like innovators of our country, no force on earth can stop him from inventing new things if Mushatq is to be believed.
At very last but not the least we cannot explain Mushtaq as a “Genius” but at the same time there is no name from all sides to place alongside Mushatq Ahmad Dar. But let us put simply, Mushatq Ahmad Dar is the most gifted boy, who lives in the most gifted Nation “The India”-- which in every sense is a unity in diversity.
“S.F AHMAD is working as a collaborator with National Innovation Foundation Ahmadabad and is working as Researcher with London based "Magazine " can be reached at sajusfa_321@yahoo.co.in