Berhampur University Students Shine at State-Level Innovation Contest
Two talented scholars from Berhampur University claimed prestigious awards at the State-Level Innovation and Startup Competition-2025. The event concluded in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, celebrating groundbreaking ideas from across Odisha.
Cash Prizes and Recognition for Young Innovators
The Odisha government distributed cash rewards of Rs 5 lakh to each of the ten winning startups selected from various universities. Berhampur University proudly secured two of these coveted awards, highlighting the institution's growing reputation for fostering innovation.
"We are incredibly proud of our students' remarkable success," stated Berhampur University Vice-Chancellor Geetanjali Dash on Sunday. "This award money will significantly boost their projects, allowing them to reach new heights."
The competition attracted seventy startup projects from fourteen universities over two exciting days. Higher Education Minister Suryabansi Suraj and former Vice-Chancellor of GM University, Sambalpur, A K Pati, personally presented the cash awards to the deserving scholars.
Meet the Award-Winning Innovators
Sandeep Kumar Dash, Assistant Professor of Zoology and programme coordinator at Berhampur University, identified the winners. Research scholar Archita Lenka from the Zoology department and physics student Ganeswar Khadenga received the honors for their exceptional work.
Archita Lenka focuses on developing sustainable bioactive ingredients. Her project involves synthesizing ellagic acid from casuarictin, a tannin extracted from naturally fallen casuarinas litter commonly found along sea beaches.
"This innovative technology transforms beach litter biomass into a high-value compound," explained Dash. "Ellagic acid is renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cardio-protective properties."
With the global ellagic acid market expected to hit US$110 million by 2032, driven by cosmetic and pharmaceutical demand, Lenka's startup aims to supply cost-advantaged natural ellagic acid to international formulators.
Revolutionizing Health Monitoring
Ganeswar Khadenga developed a portable, non-invasive system for monitoring diabetes and cardiac health. Created under the guidance of Physics Professor Sukant Tripathy, this device enables frequent and long-term health tracking without invasive procedures.
The system uses fingertip photoplethysmography (PPG) with multi-wavelength light to capture blood-flow signals. On-device machine learning helps detect anomalies, reducing errors from motion or improper finger placement.
From optical data, the device estimates HbA1c levels, which traditionally require laboratory blood tests. A connected progressive web application visualizes data, tracks health trends, analyzes heart rhythm patterns, and supports both personal and clinical use.
"This technology allows for early detection without invasive blood sampling," Dash emphasized. Competition jury members expressed strong appreciation for both projects, recognizing their potential impact.
The achievements of these Berhampur University scholars underscore Odisha's commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting young entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into real-world solutions.
