Jamshedpur: Social entrepreneur Pete Ceglinski - the co-inventor of Seabin, a floating can that sucks in ocean water and purges it of rubbish - may find his gifted protégé in the steel city.
Four students of Dayanand Public School mooted Seabin-like trash collecting contraptions in rivers to bag the first prize at Tarangini, a competition of conservation ideas, on Wednesday.
Students of Classes IX to XII from 21 city schools took part in the contest organised by Narbheram Hansraj English School, Bistupur, and supported by nonprofit Kalpavriksh Foundation. While every team brainstormed on ways to protect Kolhan's lifeline rivers Subernarekha and Kharkai, making elaborate PowerPoint presentations, the Seabin kids wowed the judge with a concept that is still unique worldwide.
East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amit Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion and inaugurated the event with Tata Main Hospital head of psychiatry Sanjay Agarwal, Narbheram Hansraj school president Nakul Kamani and school principal Paramita Roy Chaudhury.
Besides private cradles like Dayanand Public School, DBMS English School, Jusco School (Kadma), among others, two government schools - People's Academy High School, Baradwari, and Rajkiyakrit Jamshedpur Balika Uchcha Vidyalaya, Sakchi - also took part.
The teams were named after rivers like Ganges, Kosi, Sabarmati, Chenab and Indus, and comprised four members each. Chief of environment and sustainability, Jusco, Gaurav Anand judged the presentations on various parameters, including practical implementation.
While the Dayanand team edged others out, ADLS Sunshine School became the runner-up for mooting an idea to prevent plastic from reaching rivers. The winners received trophies and certificates from DSP (composite control room) Sudhir Kumar and Chaudhury.
"We always think conservation is a Herculean task, but it is not if every individual does his/her bit. I am glad that this competition has involved young minds who are seriously contemplating on how to save our rivers," DC Kumar said in his keynote address.
"Our purpose was to teach students the importance of a balanced ecology and especially river conservation. To take it forward, we want students of Jamshedpur to get involved in real projects for a better future," said Narbheram principal Roy Chaudhury.
