Dhenkanal: Sriyanka Samal, a Class X student of Utkal Bharati Bidyapitha at Khaliborei in Hindol of the district has brought laurels to the state. President of India Ram Nath Kovind has awarded her for her innovative project Bio Asbestos.
President Kovind lauded Sriyanka’s innovation during the festival of Innovations and Entrepreneurship (FINE) of National Innovation Foundation (NIF) which was organised in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, with the support of the Rashtrapati Bhawan from March 15 to 18.
Sriyanka was selected to take part in the festival of FINE after her innovative project drew the attention of the organisers during the 7th National Level Exhibition and Project competition (NLEPC) under Inspire Awards-2019 held at IIT, Delhi on February 14-15.
Speaking about her innovation, Sriyanka said, “I got the idea of the Bio Asbestos project after seeing the problems of the poor people living in asbestos houses with a lot of difficulties during the summer season. Heat increases as global warming increases day by day. Therefore, I thought of the Bio Asbestos project which will not only help protect ourselves from the ill-effects of global warming but also will provide employment opportunities for some people in the rural areas.”
“I used palm leaves and latex of Mahul trees to produce the bio asbestos,” she added.
Speaking about her interaction with the President, the Class X student said, “Honourable President asked me about my project and when I explained to him about it he was surprised and hailed my project. What surprised me was that he called the photographer and took pictures with me. Besides, he patted on my back before leaving the spot, which I will never forget in my life.”
Dhenkanal district collector Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, District Education Officer (DEO) Sudhananda Parida and other officials also felicitated Sriyanka on her return to the village from Delhi today.
Sriyanka’s achievement has also now become the talk of the town in the district. She is the daughter of Kuber Samal, who is a driver by profession.
Ms Kalinga