Srinagar: Shahida Bano, a class 8th student of Government Boys Middle Schools Sheeri Payeen of education Zone Fathegarh in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, was among the top 60 students, who were conferred awards in the 8th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition-2021 (NLEPC) of the INSPIRE Awards–MANAK featuring student innovations from all over India.
Besides Shahida who developed a vehicle key with a finger-print sensor lock to prevent minors from driving bikes and vehicles and curb car theft, Mehvish Reyaz, a class 10th student, of Government High School Akhran Kulgam who innovated a lid opener of bottles in laboratories also bagged the award.
Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, conferred awards to the top 60 students in the award function of 8th NLEPC-2021 for INSPIRE-MANAK.
Shahida Bano and Mehvish Reyaz were among eleven students from J&K who were selected in SLEPC to showcase their innovative projects at the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) under Innovation in Science Pursuits for Research for Inspired Research Awards (INSPIRE Awards-2019-20) a Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge (MANAK) program.
Shahida feels elated to be part of a five-day online 8th NLEPC-2021 for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme, one of the flagship programmes of Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.
“I am highly thankful to Chief Education Officer Baramulla, (Principal DIET Sopore), Vice Principal DIET Sopore, District Nodal Officer (DNO) DIET Sopore Dr. Parvaiz Maqbool Lone, Sajad Akbar (In charge ICT), ZEO Fathegrah Ghulam Ahmad Pinto for their love and support,” said Shahida after signing off the virtual award ceremony of 8th NLEPC-2021.
The INSPIRE Awards-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge), being executed by DST with National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST, aims to motivate students in studying in classes 6 to 10.
The objective of the scheme is to target one million original ideas/innovations rooted in science and societal applications to foster a culture of creativity and innovative thinking among school children
She expressed gratitude to her guide (teacher) Reyaz Ahmad Ganai, Headmaster BMS Sheeri Hafeeza Bano, staff, Head of Department of Electronics Engineering, Institute of Technology and Director of the Institute of Technology, University of Kashmir (KU), and NIF for the guidance and mentoring.
“Students are invited from all government and private schools of the country to send their original and creative ideas and innovations. The ideas can help in modifying existing innovations and resolve various problems faced by the society,” said Reyaz Ahmad Ganai of BMS Sheeri Payeen.
District Nodal Officer Baramulla, Dr. Pervez Maqbool, said, “Yet another feather in the crown of DIET Sopore. Shahida Bano, a class VII student of MS Sheeri Payeen got 27th rank in super 60 at 8th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) for INSPIRE Awards MANAK 2020-21. It is indeed a matter of pleasure and pride for District Baramulla in general and DIET Sopore in particular.”
“Hearty congratulations to Shahida Bano. It is worth mentioning that six (6) students (the highest number in J&K) from District Baramulla were selected for NLEPC who participated in the virtual event. I extend my gratitude and hearty congratulations to Worthy Administrative Secretary SED B. K. Singh (IFS), Director SCERT J&K Dr. Veena Pandita madam, Director School Education Dr. Tasaduq Hussain Mir sir for their dynamic leadership and continuous support. I thank and congratulate Nazir Ahmad Reshi, VP DIET Sopore along with the whole DIET faculty for their tireless support and encouragement all through the journey to NLEPC,” he said.
He further acknowledged the contribution of National Coordinator Diwendra Tiwari, State coordinator INSPIRE Awards for UTs J&K and Ladakh Sehreen Shakeel and Divisional Nodal Officer INSPIRE Awards Peerzada Bashir Ahmad. “Last but not least; I congratulate the mentor teacher Reyaz Ahmad for his enthusiasm and dedication to guide the student. I dedicate this achievement to the whole teaching fraternity of District Baramulla. We are honored to have our students from government schools participating at the National level and bagging awards for Jammu and Kashmir UT,” he added.
Innovation Fellow Sahreen Shakeel of National Innovation Foundation India (NIF) informed that the aim of INSPIRE award MANAK is to foster a culture of creative and innovative ideas among students to address the problems of the society through Science and Technology. We have to create scientific temperament among students by getting new and creative ideas from them. “One thousand students are finally selected to showcase their innovative projects at the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC). Finally top Sixty (60) innovative projects are incubated (patent filing, value addition in technology and product development etc.) by NIF and displayed at annual Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FINE).”
