In a remarkable story of talent rising from humble beginnings, 17-year-old Pooja Pal from Agehra village in Barabanki has earned national acclaim. She is among the 20 children selected from across India to receive the prestigious Prime Minister's Bal Puraskar. Her award-winning innovation is a practical, low-cost model of a dust-free wheat thresher, designed to protect farmers and rural communities from hazardous dust emissions.
From Classroom Disruption to a Life-Changing Idea
The seed of this innovation was planted when Pooja was in Class 7 and participating in the National Children's Science Congress. She identified a critical local health issue: the excessive dust generated by traditional wheat threshers. The problem hit close to home—literally. A thresher operating near her school would send dust clouds into classrooms, making it hard to concentrate and breathe. "It became difficult to read, write or even breathe," Pooja recalled.
The breakthrough moment came from a simple domestic observation. Watching her mother sieve flour at home, Pooja realized that if a mesh could separate fine particles in the kitchen, a similar mechanism could trap dust during threshing. With this insight, she began developing her solution under the guidance of her science teacher, Rajeev Srivastava.
Perseverance Leads to a Functional Prototype
The journey from idea to reality required persistence. Initial prototypes made from paper and wood were unsuccessful. Undeterred, Pooja refined her design and eventually fabricated a working model using tin sheets and a welding machine. Her final creation, named the 'Bhusa-Dhool Prithakkaran Yantra' (chaff and dust separation device), effectively reduces the release of harmful dust and microscopic particles during grain separation, which are known to cause lung damage and aggravate respiratory illnesses.
This grassroots innovation soon captured attention beyond her district. It was evaluated and cleared by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology and selected under the INSPIRE Award standards, earning Pooja an international exposure visit.
National Honor and International Acclaim
Pooja's achievement will be formally recognized on December 26, when she receives the Bal Puraskar. Barabanki District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi confirmed the development, stating that the central government has recognized Pooja's contribution to science, technology, and innovation. He highlighted that her story shows how meaningful, problem-solving ideas can emerge from modest backgrounds to inspire children nationwide.
Her success story has already opened global doors. In 2025, Pooja was chosen for the prestigious Sakura Science High School Programme in Japan, an elite initiative by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. She was the only student from Uttar Pradesh among 54 Indian participants selected nationwide. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government had honored her as a "child scientist" with an award of Rs 1 lakh.
A Story of Contrast and Hope
Pooja's accomplishments shine even brighter against the backdrop of her family's hardships. Her father, Putti Lal, is a daily-wage laborer, and her mother, Sunila Devi, works as a cook in a government school. The family of seven lives in a small thatched hut made of straw and weeds. Recognizing both her merit and the family's need, the district administration has sanctioned a permanent house for them under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
From the dust of her village to the halls of national and international recognition, Pooja Pal's journey is a powerful testament to Indian ingenuity and the transformative potential of supporting young innovators.
