Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies
SRISTI is a developmental voluntary organization aiming to strengthen the creativity of grassroots communities and individual innovators — supporting co-creating solutions to local problems through the Honey Bee Network for over 33 years.
33+
Years of Impact
2L+
Innovations Documented
75+
Countries Reached
1638
Traditional Recipes
42
Shodhyatras Conducted
34
Herbal Formulations
A Developmental Voluntary Organisation for Grassroots Innovation
SRISTI — Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions — is a developmental voluntary organization established in 1993 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. SRISTI aims to strengthen the creativity of grassroots communities and individual innovators.
It supports co-creating solutions to local problems being scouted, spawned and spread by the Honey Bee Network. SRISTI works at the intersection of traditional knowledge, grassroots innovation, and formal science — bridging the gap between knowledge-rich, economically poor communities and the markets, institutions, and policies that can support them.
Registered as a voluntary organization (Registration No: F/3538/AHMEDABAD), SRISTI is located at AES Boys Hostel Campus, Near Gujarat University Library & SBI Bank, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Gujarat, India.
Respect for Grassroots Knowledge
SRISTI believes that knowledge-rich, economically poor people deserve recognition and reward. Every innovation, however small, is treated with dignity and respect.
Compassion & Inclusion
The Honey Bee philosophy means giving back to communities what you take from them, with fairness and care.
Sustainability
SRISTI promotes sustainable technologies and institutions that work with nature — from organic farming to herbal medicines and eco-friendly innovations.
Ethical Benefit Sharing
Innovators and conservators of traditional knowledge receive meritocratic benefit sharing agreements when their knowledge is commercialised.
What We Stand For
Vision
A World Where Grassroots Knowledge is Valued
SRISTI envisions a world where the creativity and knowledge of grassroots communities — farmers, artisans, healers, and innovators — is recognised, rewarded, and integrated into mainstream science, policy, and markets. A world where being knowledge-rich is never a disadvantage.
Mission
Strengthen Grassroots Creativity & Innovation
SRISTI's mission is to scout, document, validate, and disseminate grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge — ensuring that knowledge-rich, economically poor communities receive recognition, resources, and fair benefit sharing.
- Scout and document innovations from remote communities
- Validate traditional knowledge through certified science
- Build awareness and advocacy for grassroots innovators
- Ensure ethical benefit sharing and intellectual property rights
33+ Years of Impact
From a small voluntary organisation in Ahmedabad to a globally recognised grassroots innovation network.
Honey Bee Network Founded
Prof. Anil K. Gupta founds the Honey Bee Network — a global platform connecting grassroots innovators with researchers and policymakers.
SRISTI Established
Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions registered in Ahmedabad (F/3538/AHMEDABAD) to support the Honey Bee Network.
First Shodhyatra
The first Shodhyatra (knowledge walk) is conducted — a bi-annual tradition of journeys into remote India to scout grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge.
Sadbhav-SRISTI Lab
The Sadbhav-SRISTI Sanshodhan Laboratory is established — a DSIR-certified research institution for validating grassroots practices and developing herbal formulations.
GYTI Awards Launched
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards launched to recognise student innovators across India, in partnership with IIM Ahmedabad and DST.
Sattvik Festival
The Sattvik traditional food festival begins at IIM Ahmedabad — celebrating agro-biodiversity, traditional recipes, and rural food culture.
BioNEST Incubator
SRISTI Innovations-BIRAC's BioNEST business incubator is established with BIRAC funding, supporting biotechnology and grassroots innovation commercialisation.
2,00,000+ Innovations
The Honey Bee Network database crosses 2,00,000 documented innovations and traditional knowledge practices in multiple languages, spanning 75+ countries.
Be Like a Honey Bee, Not a Locust
The Honey Bee Network — the philosophical and operational backbone of SRISTI — is built on a simple but profound principle: take from communities, but give back generously.
A honey bee collects nectar from flowers without harming them — it gives back by pollinating.
SRISTI follows this philosophy: take knowledge from communities, but give back recognition, rewards, and resources.
The Honey Bee Network connects innovators, researchers, policymakers, and markets across 75+ countries.
Every innovation documented is credited to its creator — anonymity is never imposed.
Benefit sharing agreements ensure innovators receive fair compensation when their knowledge is commercialised.
“Erosion of people's knowledge is perhaps a greater threat to sustainability than the erosion of the resource base itself.”
— SRISTI's founding philosophy
Our Areas of Work
From scouting innovations in remote villages to validating them in certified laboratories, from celebrating traditional food to incubating biotech startups — SRISTI works across the full innovation ecosystem.
Scouting & Documentation
Through Shodhyatras, scouting drives, and the Honey Bee Network, SRISTI documents grassroots innovations, traditional knowledge, and local practices from across India and the world.
Learn moreValidation & Value Addition
The Sadbhav-SRISTI Sanshodhan Laboratory — a DSIR-certified research institution — validates grassroots practices and converts traditional knowledge into value-added products.
Learn moreCampaigning & Awareness
Through media campaigns (Doordarshan, BBC, EMRC), bio-diversity contests, food festivals, and international platforms, SRISTI builds awareness about grassroots innovations.
Learn moreEducational Initiatives
SRISTI supports innovations by school and college teachers, students, and other stakeholders — fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving from the ground up.
Learn moreAwards & Recognition
Through GYTI Awards, SRISTI Samman, Centenarian Awards, and Recipe Competitions, SRISTI recognises and rewards innovators, traditional knowledge holders, and creative individuals.
Learn moreShodhyatra
Bi-annual knowledge walks into the most remote parts of India — unearthing traditional knowledge, spreading green consciousness, and building mutual exchange between communities and researchers.
Learn moreSRISTI Lab & BioNEST
The Sadbhav-SRISTI Sanshodhan Laboratory and SRISTI Innovations-BIRAC's BioNEST incubator support product development, commercialisation, and business incubation for grassroots and student innovators.
Learn moreCulture & Heritage
Through Sattvik food festivals, children's creative workshops, recipe competitions, and cultural programmes, SRISTI preserves and celebrates India's rich cultural and culinary heritage.
Learn moreProgrammes & Platforms
Honey Bee Network
Global network connecting grassroots innovators with researchers, policymakers, and markets since 1990.
Innovation Database
2,00,000+ innovations documented in multiple languages, accessible to researchers and policymakers.
Sadbhav-SRISTI Lab
DSIR-certified laboratory validating grassroots practices and developing herbal formulations.
GYTI Awards
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards celebrating student innovation across India.
Shodhyatra
Bi-annual knowledge walks into remote India, conducted since 1998.
Sattvik Festival
Annual traditional food festival at IIM-A promoting agro-biodiversity and nutritious food.
BioNEST Incubator
BIRAC-funded business incubator supporting biotechnology and grassroots innovation commercialisation.
Techpedia
Platform connecting MSMEs, informal sector, and grassroots innovators with technology students.
Everything SRISTI Does
Eight pillars of SRISTI's work — each a rich, deep programme with its own story, impact, and invitation to explore.
Section
Activities
42+
Shodhyatras conducted since 1998
2L+
Innovations scouted and documented
34
Herbal formulations validated by Sadbhav-SRISTI Lab
Scouting, Validating & Spreading Grassroots Innovation
SRISTI's activities form the backbone of the Honey Bee Network's mission. From bi-annual Shodhyatras into remote India to DSIR-certified laboratory validation, from media campaigns on Doordarshan and BBC to children's creativity workshops — SRISTI works across the full innovation lifecycle. Every activity is designed to ensure that knowledge-rich, economically poor communities receive recognition, resources, and fair benefit sharing.
Section
Initiatives
BIIS
Biotechnology Innovation Ignition School for youth
SIF
Social Innovation Fund supporting community solutions
Techpedia
Platform linking MSMEs with student innovators
Empowering Children, Women & Communities Through Innovation
SRISTI's initiatives go beyond documentation — they actively build the next generation of grassroots innovators. The Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) nurtures young scientists. Children's and Women's Creativity programmes unlock hidden talent. Techpedia connects MSMEs and informal sector innovators with technology students. The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) provides seed funding for community-driven solutions. Together, these initiatives create an inclusive innovation ecosystem from the ground up.
Section
Projects
75+
Countries in the Honey Bee Network
BIRAC
Biotechnology partnership for innovation commercialisation
USAID
US Agency for International Development collaboration
Global Collaborations Scaling Grassroots Innovation
SRISTI has partnered with leading national and international organisations to amplify the impact of grassroots innovation. From UNICEF and USAID to ILO, IDRC, and BIRAC — these collaborations have funded research, built databases, supported policy advocacy, and connected Indian grassroots innovators with global markets. The Honey Bee Network itself is a living project — a global community of 75+ countries committed to ethical knowledge exchange.
Section
Awards
GYTI
Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards at IIM-A
1638
Traditional recipes collected through Recipe Competitions
Centenarian
Awards honouring elderly innovators and knowledge holders
Celebrating Grassroots Excellence & Young Innovation
SRISTI's awards programmes are among India's most prestigious recognitions for grassroots innovators, traditional knowledge holders, and young technologists. The GYTI (Gandhian Young Technological Innovation) Awards, held at IIM Ahmedabad, celebrate student innovators. SRISTI Samman honours grassroots excellence. Centenarian Awards recognise elderly knowledge holders. Recipe Competitions preserve India's culinary heritage. Each award comes with recognition, mentorship, and pathways to commercialisation.
Section
Shodhyatra
42+
Shodhyatras conducted across India since 1998
Remote
Journeys into deserts, forests, mountains & tribal belts
Database
Innovations documented in the Honey Bee Network database
Knowledge Walks Into the Heart of Rural India
Shodhyatra — meaning 'journey of discovery' — is SRISTI's signature bi-annual programme of walking expeditions into the most remote parts of India. Since 1998, these knowledge walks have covered thousands of kilometres across deserts, forests, mountains, and tribal belts — unearthing traditional knowledge, spreading green consciousness, and building the Honey Bee Innovation Database. Each Shodhyatra is a living classroom where researchers, students, and community members learn from each other.
Section
SRISTI Lab
DSIR
Certified research institution by Dept. of Scientific & Industrial Research
34
Herbal formulations validated and developed
Peer-reviewed
Research papers published in international journals
Where Traditional Knowledge Meets Certified Science
The Sadbhav-SRISTI Sanshodhan Laboratory is a DSIR-certified research institution that bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and formal science. The lab validates grassroots practices — from herbal medicines to agricultural innovations — through rigorous scientific testing. It develops value-added products from traditional formulations, publishes peer-reviewed research, and provides a scientific foundation for SRISTI's advocacy work. The lab is a model for how traditional knowledge can be respected, validated, and commercialised ethically.
Section
BioNEST
BIRAC
Funded by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Biotech
Supporting biotech, nanotech, pharma & rural development startups
Mentorship
Expert advisory panel guiding incubatees to market
Incubating the Next Generation of Grassroots Innovators
SRISTI Innovations-BIRAC's BioNEST (Bioincubator Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies) is a BIRAC-funded business incubator that supports biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmacy, and rural development startups. BioNEST provides laboratory infrastructure, mentorship, funding access, regulatory guidance, and market linkages — transforming grassroots innovations and student ideas into viable businesses. It is a bridge between the Honey Bee Network's innovation database and the commercial world.
Section
Database
2L+
Grassroots innovations in the Honey Bee Network database
30,000+
Publications in the SRISTI Library database
Multi-lingual
Innovations documented in regional languages across India
The World's Largest Repository of Grassroots Knowledge
SRISTI maintains one of the world's largest and most comprehensive databases of grassroots innovations, traditional knowledge, medicinal plants, and research publications. The Honey Bee Network database contains over 2,00,000 innovations documented in multiple languages. The Medicinal Plant database covers thousands of traditional remedies. The Library database holds 30,000+ publications. The CPRI database documents 138 community resource management case studies. All databases are designed to be accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public.
Connect with SRISTI
Whether you are an innovator, researcher, student, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about grassroots knowledge — SRISTI welcomes you.
Address
AES Boys Hostel Campus, Near Gujarat University Library & SBI Bank, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Gujarat, India.
info@sristi.org
Registration
F/3538/AHMEDABAD · Donations exempt under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act