Do you have a path breaking idea that can
help the society for good?
Picture this: A road so smart, so eco-friendly, so
green, and scenic, it automatically recycles the carbon dioxide (CO2); it’s
practically genius! Or an eco-friendly
agro machine offering a game-changing solution for Indian marginal farmers,
blending affordability and sustainability through solar-powered versatility or
an automated Oyster Mushroom bag
production machine offering a streamlined solution to boost Oyster Mushroom
production by minimizing contamination risks.
These are some of the incredible ideas that
harness the power of technology and innovation; and emerged as winners of the
coveted vivo Ignite Awards. ‘vivo
Ignite’ is a country-wide initiative by vivo India that aims to nurture and
empower bright young minds of India by offering a platform for their
sustainable and globally competitive ideas.
vivo recently
announced the national winners of its initiative ‘vivo Ignite: Technology and Innovation Awards‘ in collaboration
with NCERT and iHub DivyaSampark, IIT Roorkee. The Grand Finale, held on
February 10th in New Delhi, witnessed ground-breaking projects like the above
across the nation. The first National Winner bagged a cash prize worth INR 7
lakhs, while the four runners-up shared cash prizes worth INR 14 lakhs.
The winning project, ‘SMART STREET – Where innovation meets sustainability,’ stood out
for its ingenuity. It envisioned implementing smart streets for
safer, greener, and more scenic roads by utilizing innovative technologies and
environmentally conscious materials. This initiative addresses pressing
concerns such as rising road accidents, pollution, and pedestrian safety.
(L to R): Sharvi Baisiwala, Shreyansh Nayak, Shubhashree Sahu, Shri Rajendra Prasad Singh, Vedanshi Mehta, Aarav Mohanraj, Arushi Ganguly, Yash Yadav
vivo Ignite gives a platform that
transcends traditional boundaries, fostering a culture of innovation and
creativity among young minds in India. It invites students from grades 8 to 12 to channel their talents towards
finding solutions that address societal challenges. This year’s theme, “Tech for Good,” emphasized
the importance of using technology for positive societal impact.
Geetaj
Channana, Head of Corporate Strategy at vivo India,
expressed
joy at the overwhelming response, stating, “Through our initiatives like
vivo Ignite, we aim to nurture and empower emerging talent, offering a platform
for their sustainable and globally competitive ideas.” This commitment is
evident in the substantial increase in participation from over 3,000
registrations last year to over 19,000
registrations and over 4,000 innovative projects this year.
The four runners-up were Multi-Functional Eco-Friendly Agro Machine,
Automatic Machine For Ready To Grow Oyster Mushroom Bags, Optimization For
Cyclists’ Posture Using Real-Time Embedded System And Data Analysis, and STEMLY, sharing cash prizes worth INR
14 lakhs.
The Grand Finale’s standout feature was its
steadfast dedication to sustainability. Embracing responsible stewardship, vivo
announced the Grand Gala vivo Ignite 2023 as a net-zero initiative. At its
core, this commitment involves planting 216 fruit-bearing trees, a tangible
gesture, aimed at fostering ecological balance and biodiversity.
Beyond environmental impact, the initiative
seeks to create positive social change. By supporting a marginal farmer in
Uttar Pradesh, vivo aims to provide them with a sustainable livelihood after
two years of nurturing and care. Moreover, each of the 216 trees will be linked
to the top 200 ideas of students from vivo Ignite 2023, fostering a lasting
connection with innovation and education. These trees will be geo-tagged for
ongoing monitoring, ensuring their growth and impact are tracked over time.
As part of vivo’s commitment to India, this
initiative has become a symbol of driving innovation and positive societal
impact. The ideas received from across India cover various themes,
demonstrating the depth of technological prowess. These ideas range from
addressing accessibility and inclusivity to promoting health and well-being,
environmental sustainability, disaster management, education, innovation,
humanitarian aid, and occupational safety, reflecting the ethos of ‘Tech for
Good.’
The Top 25 ideas, selected based on video submissions,
are being evaluated and considered for research study/incubation/start-up by
iHUB DivyaSampark – the innovation center of IIT Roorkee.
vivo is also working closely with
communities on more such initiatives. vivo Ignite is just one of them.
Initiatives like Women in STEM, vivo for Education, Giving back to Gurugram,
etc., exemplify vivo’s dedication to education, inspiration, empowerment, and
celebration of innovation for a better future.
