Young talents from Berhampur, often called the Silk City, have made their mark on a national platform by securing top honours at the prestigious National Urja Mela held recently in New Delhi. The event, which saw participation from hundreds of schools across India, celebrated innovative projects focused on sustainable energy solutions.
Berhampur's Bright Stars Secure National Victory
Chinmayee Pasupalak, a Class IX student from Gurukul International School, clinched the first prize in the science exhibition category. Her winning project presented a forward-thinking model titled 'Harnessing the Sun for Clean Energy: Solar Hydrogen Electricity Generation'. Simultaneously, Prince Kumar Behera, also in Class IX but from KC Public School, bagged the top position in the quiz competition, showcasing his extensive knowledge of energy topics.
Adding to the city's pride, Brindarani Panda, a Class VII student from KC Public School, secured the second position in the poster-making contest. The Urja Mela was organized by Tata Power, providing a crucial platform for young minds to engage with the theme 'Clean Energy, Greener Tomorrow'.
Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Chinmayee Pasupalak's award-winning project demonstrates a sophisticated renewable energy system. It focuses on storing solar power in the form of hydrogen gas, which can later be used to generate electricity, even after sunset or during cloudy weather. This addresses a key challenge of solar energy—its intermittency.
Explaining the project, her guide and science exhibition coordinator, Ranjit Kumar Panda, detailed the process. "The system uses electricity from solar panels to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis," he said. "The stored hydrogen is then fed into a fuel cell, where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to produce electricity. The only by-product released is water, making it a completely clean and environmentally friendly cycle." This innovative approach highlights the practical application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in solving real-world environmental challenges.
A National Stage for Young Talent
The national-level competition was a massive gathering of young intellect and creativity. Around 1,000 students and educators from 200 schools across 15 states participated, making the achievements of the Berhampur students particularly significant. The event successfully prompted participants to conceptualize and present STEM-based projects designed to tackle pressing environmental issues, fostering a spirit of innovation and responsibility among the youth.
The outstanding performance of these students from Odisha's Silk City not only brings laurels to their schools and families but also underscores the potential of India's younger generation in leading the charge towards a sustainable and energy-secure future. Their success serves as an inspiration for peers nationwide to delve into scientific research and innovation.
