Union Minister Jitendra Singh interacts with student achievers in science, tech on National Girl Child day

The Union Minister of Science and Technology Singh suggested that various government programs give children confidence to think innovatively, look for ready-made solutions to various problems and break the barriers of the past to take unconventional initiatives. He emphasized sustainable start-ups with a viable link in livelihood and new career opportunities.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s admonition that “innovation is the key to realizing the dream of the new India”, Singh reiterated all the government’s support and assistance to young achievers and emphasized his belief that empowering girls will lead to a better future.

During the online interaction, Digantika Bose, a first-year BSc student from Bengaluru, talked about her development of virus-destroying masks that she also said were preventive against the coronavirus. The project has been shared with the Department of Science & Technology. She sought the help of the minister to market the mask. He has promised to help her conduct an evidence-based investigation before it is released to the market.

Manisha Ramola, a first-year BSc student from Uttarakhand, has developed an artificial intelligence-based solution that she designed to provide in-depth information about medicinal leaves and herbs with just a single image. The minister complimented her on coming up with an innovation that combined ancient herbal medicinal knowledge of the Himalayas with a contemporary and futuristic concept of AI.

Nishi Goswami of Panna in Madhya Pradesh demonstrated an AI-based chatbot that would provide consultation services like that of a doctor and allow users to seek answers related to health or medical questions. The minister informed her that just as she developed an AI-based interface between a patient and a doctor, it could be expanded and linked to telemedicine.

Vinisha Umashankar from Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu presented her solar-powered ironing car, while Manya Joshi, a 12th grade student from Delhi, launched a natural disaster forecasting project. Anushka Shrivastava, a 12th grade student from Bhopal, came up with an eco-friendly water bottle.

The minister said that the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences will take all steps to bring about innovative ideas and asked them to fully commit themselves to take help and support. He noted with appreciation that India’s young daughters are leading the way in scientific innovations.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology has taken several steps to popularize the science stream at the upper secondary level among girl students,” Singh said. Referring to the new Summer Time program, he said, “Vigyan Jyoti,” initiated in 100 districts across the country in 2019-20, was aimed at encouraging deserving girl students from grades 9 to 12 to pursue education and careers in science. and technology, especially in areas where women are underrepresented.

Likewise, he pointed out that the MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) Awards program under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research’ (INSPIRE) program that aims to generate one million original ideas/innovations which are rooted in science and societal applications to foster a culture of creativity and innovative thinking among school children, especially between grades 6 and 10. He reported that in the year 2020-2021 it brought 6.53 lakh ideas from more than 2 lakh secondary and high schools across the country and the best of them were shortlisted and showcased at district, state and then national exhibition and project competition.