Harish Bhatt, CEO, Tata International

Innovation has to have purpose. Two decades ago when the Tata group came out with Tata salt which had iodine in it, it was the first time in the country. Today, many brands have it. But at the time it was done, it was done with a purpose to add nutrition to many people in India who were deficient in iodine. So the purpose of that innovation was adding back to the community.

Two decades later came Nano. Nano was created again with the purpose that many Indians today are very comfortable with two wheelers but at some stage they will want to look at 4 wheelers which is affordable. That was the spirit behind innovation Nano. Again, it was to do with something for the nation and something for the community around you.

Tata Tea was launched in poly packs with garden fresh tea; the purpose of that innovation was to bring fresh tea at an affordable price to consumers. So when you innovate with a purpose and with a belief, then you won’t feel like you are in a rat race, you will innovate joyously because you know the innovation is going to provide happiness to people. For every innovation put a purpose to it.