AI Generated Summary
- A government school in rural Punjab has brought laurels to the state after an innovative eco-friendly cooking project earned top honours at the national-level Viksit Bharat Buildathon organised by the Ministry of Education.
- The project, created by students and a teacher of Government Senior Secondary School, Jabbowal, was declared the “Best Project under District Category” for its focus on sustainable energy use and nutritional preservation through biomass-based cooking technology.
- Officials from the Ministry of Education have formally informed the school about the achievement, and the project has also been selected for a cash prize.
A government school in rural Punjab has brought laurels to the state after an innovative eco-friendly cooking project earned top honours at the national-level Viksit Bharat Buildathon organised by the Ministry of Education.
The project, created by students and a teacher of Government Senior Secondary School, Jabbowal, was declared the “Best Project under District Category” for its focus on sustainable energy use and nutritional preservation through biomass-based cooking technology.
The award-winning model, titled “Innovative Biomass-Based Cooking System for Enhanced Nutritional Preservation and Environmental Sustainability,” was developed by students Sajanpreet Singh and Sukhbir Singh under the guidance of vocational lecturer Sanjeev Kumar. Participating in the buildathon for the first time, the team impressed evaluators with a practical solution that combines clean energy practices with healthier cooking methods.
The project uses steam-based cooking to help retain nutrients in food while reducing the harmful effects associated with conventional cooking techniques. What makes the innovation distinctive is its use of biomass fuel prepared from agricultural and garden waste generated locally by the school.
According to the mentor, the biofuel is created using organic waste materials such as weeds, sawdust and discarded paper, transforming otherwise unusable waste into a sustainable energy source. The initiative also promotes responsible waste management and encourages the use of renewable alternatives in rural communities.
Officials from the Ministry of Education have formally informed the school about the achievement, and the project has also been selected for a cash prize.
Calling the recognition a matter of pride, Sanjeev Kumar said the initiative reflects how rural students can contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability through scientific thinking and innovation. He added that the students have also been engaging with farmers and villagers to spread awareness about eco-friendly fuel alternatives and sustainable energy practices.
School in-charge Germanjit Singh congratulated the students and their mentor, saying the accomplishment had enhanced the reputation of the institution and inspired other students to pursue research-driven learning.
The Viksit Bharat Buildathon is a nationwide innovation campaign aimed at nurturing young talent and encouraging students to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. The initiative promotes themes such as self-reliance, indigenous technology, local entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
This year’s edition witnessed participation from more than one crore students representing over three lakh schools across the country, making it one of India’s largest school-level innovation movements. The programme has emerged as a significant platform for encouraging creativity, scientific temperament and socially impactful ideas among young learners.
