Can a chilli powder bangle save a girl or woman from anti-socials in case of any attackIJ Would planting of more peepal trees provide better-oxygenated air for the city, especially in the Smart Janpath Project to provide quality environment for the publicIJ
How can we use cyano bacteria to manage waste water in the cityIJ like these innovative and smart ideas, many more as 3-D models were presented by nearly 130 students from 11 different educational institutions here at a programme.
The day-long programme was held after a series of City Changer labs at different institutions across the city in the past. Best two entries from each institute took part during Thursday’s event.
The students displayed various projects on solid waste management, safety and security of girls/women, protection of senior citizens, traffic management, alternative energy sources, automated street lights, and vending machine for sanitary napkins, peepal plantations, talking dustbins, treatment of waste water and bridging the digital divide.
Students from KIIT, SOA and Centurion Universities, CET Engineering College, Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology, CV Raman Engineering College, DAV Management Institute, Srusti Academy and Astha School of Management participated.
The event was part of a competition run by Bhubaneswar Smart City ltd and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation in collaboration with UNFPA India. Named as City Changer lab, the competition invited each of the institutions to present two innovative ideas for better urban living in the city. While many ideas caught the attention of panellists, some interesting discussions included concept of specially designed red chilli bangles and lipstick-shaped chilli sticks, devices that would immediately send message when a girl is in distress, motivating hoteliers to have soap with messages on trafficking and helpline number to enable girls who are being trafficked to seek help etc. A presentation on installation of sanitary vending machines in ladies toilets also attracted attention.
Another interesting demonstration was on Smart Dustbins which automatically compresses the solid waste in order to make space for more waste to be collected and also sends an alter to the authorities when the bin gets full.
Setting up of kiosk to help bridge digital divide and the same would be accessible by all including blind and illiterate people. A group also presented an idea of underwater sensors in drains that would help BMC to identify the areas of blockage of drain water during heavy rains. A total of 35 proposals were received from 11 educational institutes and universities.