About the Book: Grassroots Innovation: Harnessing the Potential of Local
Creativity
A moral dilemma gripped Professor Gupta when he was invited by the Bangladeshi
government to help restructure their agricultural sector in 1985. He noticed how
the marginalized farmers were being paid poorly for their otherwise unmatched
knowledge. The gross injustice of this constant imbalance led Professor Gupta to
found what would turn into a resounding social and ethical movement—the Honey
Bee Network—bringing together and elevating thousands of grassroots innovators.
For over two decades, Professor Gupta has travelled through rural lands
unearthing innovations by the ranks—from the famed Mitti Cool refrigerator to
the footbridge of Meghalaya.