Sky is the limit for her and she aims to get her name inscribed on nothing less than a planet.
Deepika, a 13-year-old girl from remote Jhanduta in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh is on her way to Jaipur in Rajasthan to attend Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS).
A Class X student at Government Senior Secondary School, Jhanduta, Deepika will attend a mentoring camp to improve her invention, a Multipurpose Exerciser-cum-Waterlifter model.
IRIS is a public-private partnership programme between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Intel, the US based innovation Technology company and the bilateral Indo-US Science and Technology (IUSSTF) for empowering the next generation of innovators.
Launched in 2006, IRIS conducts science fairs annually for high schools (Grade 8-12) students. It recognises and rewards outstanding projects and provides a platform for young inventors like her to first showcase at IRIS national fair in India.
If selected, they get a chance to represent India at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in US. Winners at the ISEF not only win laurels for the nation but also get the opportunity to have a minor planet named after them.
"I will try my best to get my name inscribed on a planet," Deepika said, with dreams in eyes.
Deepika has invented electricity generator with the help of a bicycle. Her model uses a dynamo that produces power which can be used in lighting or charging devices and it can also lift water up to one floor. In addition, the electricity generated can be stored in attached battery and it can be later used for lighting or charging purposes.
She said the model not only provides clean energy but it will also help in keeping fit. Belonging to poor landless family, her father works as a priest to support the family.
She had started working on the project after she viewed a programme on TV which was focused on innovations using commonly available items, said Dinesh Kumar Sharma, her science teacher and mentor at Govt Senior Secondary School Jhandutta.
“After getting new suggestions of improving her invention and if selected, she would get chance to participate in Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF),” he said.
“And if her model gets award at the science fair, she would get the opportunity to have a minor planet named after her,” he added.
Earlier her model was selected for Festival of Innovation at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi and for ‘Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science’ (SAKURA Exchange Program in Science). However, she would have to wait for one year to particpate in SAKURA programme as she has not yet not attained the age of 15, which is mandatory to attend the event.