Ranchi: The innovative ideas pitched by the students of Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Deoghar, during the Jharkhand leg of Startup India Yatra have earned both appreciation and cash rewards.
The Jharkhand episode of the initiative, which was flagged off by chief minister Raghubar Das on August 13 and concluded on August 24, witnessed entrepreneurial aspirants sharing their ideas.
The results across four categories - women entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology and social entrepreneurship - were announced in Ranchi on August 28.
The proposal by fourth-year BIT-Deoghar students, Vamika Parmar and Pragya Giyani, were adjudged the best in women entrepreneurship category and bagged a cash prize of Rs 75,000.
They plan to engage rag pickers to collect plastic waste and use them to make spool of filament to produce 3D objects such as showpieces and mobile phone covers through a 3D printing technique. "Through this, we also aim to eliminate the use of Chinese plastic in India," Vamika said.
On how they planned to use the money, Pragya said they would first get themselves registered as a company.
"The rest of the money will be spent on purchasing computers and printers. Prompt payment of wages to the rag pickers also needs to be ensured," Pragya added.
Fourth-year student Aman Sharma and third-year student Vedant Tebriwal bagged the second prize of Rs 50,000 in the entrepreneurship category for their proposal to develop a website that would provide artificial intelligence services during weddings and get-togethers.
"People coming from far off places to attend wedding ceremonies of their friends and relatives often find it difficult to locate the venue or get themselves photographed at the right moment. We will give them necessary assistance round the clock. Our drones will click photos and post them on Facebook with the individual's consent. The Rs 50,000 prize money is sufficient to begin the initial work," Vedant explained.
The idea pitched by third-year students Bibhor, Baishali and Divya has been selected under the Atal Incubation Centre project.
Divya wanted to do something to bring down the frequency of train accidents in different parts of the country. His friends Bibhor and Baishali agreed to extend him all possible help.
"We want to develop sensors that can easily detect hurdles and cracks on rail tracks or fire in a compartment of a running train and make the train come to grinding halt even if the driver is unaware of these," Divya said.
Dimtech has agreed to allow the trio use their laboratory in Delhi. They will also provide them accommodation and other support.
On when they would start working on the project, Baishali said, "As soon as the third-year final exams are over. In the fourth year, we don't need to read too many textbooks. This project ought to be completed within 18 months to 2 years. We have adequate time in hand."
