Ashoka University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship hosted the inaugural edition of Ashoka Pillar Award on September 18. The university awarded young talent for their innovative solutions to tackle the worsening air quality in India.
The event took place on September 18, 2018, at the centre’s Sonepat campus.
The winning teams received Rs 6.5 lakh, Rs 1.8 lakh and Rs 1.4 lakh, respectively. While Eklavya Singh won the first prize for EZ-Harv, which he designed as a solution for the prevention of stubble burning, Twinkle Malhan and Aadesh Pratap Singh won the second prize for The Aerohealer, which uses aeroponics technology and the Aloe Vera plant. Rohit Rawat got the third prize for Green Air, an innovative biotech air-filter to quantifiably improve air quality.
With urban air pollution growing at alarming rates and newer pollutants like oxides of nitrogen and air toxics adding to the public health challenge, the finalists made presentations on ideas that included ways to reduce the concentration of particular matter and other pollutants, provide affordable, eco-friendly alternative to expensive traditional harvesters, prevent stubble burning, and more.
Sonam Wangchuk, Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner 2018, was present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, he said, “The technology that I’ve come to value by being an inquisitive engineer is the technology of ancient India which was about conquering desires instead of fulfilling desires.” He spoke about how materialistic desires had led to the rise of industries causing increased air pollution in today’s world.
Priyank Narayan, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University said, “The Ashoka Pillar Award is an attempt to bring some of the best minds to address real-world challenges that we face every day. We are committed to working with these entrepreneurs to bring their innovations to reality.”