PUNJAB GOVT FELICITATES EIGHT GRASSROOTS INNOVATORS FOR DRIVING COMMUNITY-LED INNOVATION

Face2News/Chandigarh

The Government of Punjab honoured eight Grassroots Innovators selected across the state under ‘Grassroots Innovators of Punjab (GRIP)’ program, spearheaded by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST).

The awards were presented during World Environment Day Celebrations by Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Padam Shri and Sh. Kamal Kishor Yadav, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology & Environment Punjab at Pushpa Gujral Science City Kapurthala.

A cash Award of 1 lac was presented to Sh. Kuljeet Singh, an innovator from Mansa for designing and developing an integrated set of 5 machines for garlic-specific major operations such as sowing, weeding, harvesting & grading machine, offering enhanced precision and productivity.

The second and third award were presented to Sh. Amrinder Singh of Barnala for designing and developing cost effective tractor mounted side driller for fast and uniform large-scale roadside & berm plantation and environment improvement and Mr. Pavneet Singh of Malerkotla for developing hydraulic dual weeder for delicate floriculture farming.

The other awardees included Sh. Akashdeep Singh of Ferozepur for developing modified power tiller for ease of use and handling and Sh. Talwinder Singh of Sultanpur Lodhi for multipurpose integrated fuel-efficient mobile tandoor.

Among school student innovators who were awarded included Japneet Kaur for smart vegetable chemical detector VegSafe -for detecting harmful chemical/pesticides in vegetables; Pallav Pandove for Smart Guard Diaper for elderly care and Bhavya Malhotra for Smart Fog Alert Helmet for two-wheeler riders, each providing practical solutions for everyday challenges.

Sant Seechewal highly commended the efforts of the innovators and school students, while praising the PSCST for its flagship initiative. He expressed that the program successfully supports grassroots innovations and drives inclusive community development at the bottom of the pyramid.

Other notable dignitaries in attendance included Smt Shailender Kaur Special Secretary, Science and Technology Punjab, Mr Pritpal Singh Executive Director and Dr Dapinder Kaur Bakshi Joint Director PSCST. The awards were part of GRIP 4.0 Edition and awardees were selected from 500 applications received in partnership with National Innovation Foundation- GOI.