THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Final year Mechanical diploma Polytechnic student Arunima CR from Wayanad , who developed a solid waste cleaner that helps cleaning water bodies sans manpower, bagged the Best Womenpreneur award at the grand finale of the ‘Startup Yatra’ held at Park Centre, Technopark here, on Tuesday.
The event marked the conclusion of the state-wide initiative by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs in Kerala’s tier 2 and 3 cities and help them realise their startup dreams.
Arunima, from Government Ploytechnic College, Meenangadi, Wayand, won the award that carries a cash award of Rs 75,000 at the valedictory function, held in the presence of Dr Saji Gopinath, CEO, KSUM.
Speaking about her innovative idea, a visibly ecstatic Arunima said, “Solid waste cleaner can also clean drainages and remove solid waste from water sources, including streams, rivers and ponds. Significantly, it can avoid the worker’s direct contact with waste materials during the cleaning.”
An android app developed by Rashida VP from Kasargod for farmers in agriculture sector emerged the first runner-up. Andrea Antony from Kottayam won the second runner up for her idea Min_Rov (Mind Rover), a concept for functioning a brain-control wheelchair. The first and second runners-up received Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.
Around 80 innovative ideas were pitched in the finale by as many as 180 participants and 20 ideas emerged notched-up honours.
In his valedictory address, Dr Saji Gopinath said, “KSUM is happy to take forward the ideas of the participants to their next journey. I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of students and their unique ideas that cropped even from non-technical colleges.”
On the sidelines of the event, KSUM entered into a partnership with SingEx Exhibitions (India) Ltd (SEI) to provide national incubation support to Startup India’s roadshows across the country. Dr Saji Gopinath and Ms Deeksha Singh, representative from Startup India, signed the MoU in this regard.
Heroes of the eight boot camps held in various districts were given cash award of Rs 50,000 each. The winners: Devi V.S (Thiruvananthapuram), Jithin. J (Kollam), Thomas Syriac (Kottayam), Sachu Sivaram. S (Ernakulam), Varsha. J (Thrissur), Mohammed Shaheer (Kozhikode), Aneesh (Wayand) and Harris (Kasargod).
Other awards: Best Technology Startup: Winner- Amal. C. Saji (Ernakulam), First Runner-Up-Rahul. K.S (Ernakulam), and Second Runner-Up Annie Sam Varghese (Thiruvananthapuram); Best Social Startup: Winner- Risvan Ahammed. K (Kasargode), First Runner-Up – Ushanandini (Ernakulam), and Second Runner-Up- Nowrin. N (Thiruvananthapuram); Best Sustainability Startup: Winner- Kevin.R (Kottayam), First Runner-Up- Amaljith. S.B (Thiruvananthapuram), and Second Runner-Up- Ragesh (Kottayam).
Amit Sharma, representative from Startup India, welcomed the gathering. The 1000-km long ‘Startup Yatra’ was conducted in collaboration with Startup India, the Central government’s flagship initiative to empower startups through innovation and design.
Flagged off by Pinarayi Vijayan at Cliff House on November 1, the Startup Yatra proceeded all the way to Kasargod, covering multiple educational institutions on its way. More than 14 van stops and eight boot camps were conducted in every district by drawing a large number of youngsters to the event.
