‘Latex Carry Backpack,’ designed by the Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirapally, was adjudged the best project at the 10th National Innovation Contest — TechTop 2015 that concluded in the capital on Friday. Ajin Omanakuttan, Alen Anil, Mintu Elizabeth Shaji, and Parameswaran S. who were behind the innovative product said the product would be immense help to the plantation industry. The carry backpack addresses a common issue tappers face when they transfer the sap to containers like spilling, rain and uneven terrain. With this, the sap can be easily transferred into the bag through an arm without spilling and can be covered to protect from rain and can be easily carried. The cash award of Rs.1 lakh was awarded to the winners by Governor P. Sathasivam at the valedictory function.
The second prize of Rs. 50,000 went to Greeshma Unnikrishnan, IIT Mumbai, for her project ‘Cost Effective Monitoring System for Intravenous Infusion.’
The third prize of Rs. 30,000 went to MBCET for ‘UPASANA: Diagnostic Toolkit for ASHA Workers.’
In the Junior Innovation Challenge for high school students, Placid Vidya Vihar School of Kottayam won the top honours for their project ‘Easy Patient Transferring Machine’. Students of St. Berchman’s Higher Secondary School, Changanacherry, won the second and third prizes for their projects ‘Pulling Gas Trolley, and ‘Chalk Duster Accumulator’.
In his address, Mr. Sathasivam said continuous innovation and identifying key issues and finding effective solutions is also key to the growth of the country. Consolation prizes were given to Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kottayam, and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam. Sahrdaya College of Engineering & Technology, Thrissur, won the all-women’s team award. A jury led by V.K. Damodaran evaluated the 21 projects.
Principal Secretary for IT and Industries P.H. Kurian presided. Samuel Mar Irenios Auxillary, Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram were present.
