Thu Jan 30 13:18:36 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Students Win IIT Kharagpur Innovation Competition with Solution to Stubble Burning
**CHENNAI, INDIA (January 30, 2025)** – Three students from Agurchand Manmull Jain School in Chennai have won the senior division of the Young Innovators Program (YIP) at IIT Kharagpur for their innovative solution to the annual problem of stubble burning in northern India. Their project, “Pyro Polish,” was selected as the winner from over 1,200 entries.
Revanth, Pio Jacksmith Fernandez, and Santhosh developed Pyro Polish as a low-cost solution to the environmental hazard caused by farmers burning crop residue after harvest, a major contributor to Delhi’s severe annual smog. Their project progressed through several rounds of judging, culminating in a final PowerPoint presentation.
The YIP, an annual competition attracting students worldwide, saw 250 teams initially selected from the initial 1,200 entries. Only 32 teams were shortlisted to showcase their models, with 20 proceeding to the final presentation round.
Pyro Polish’s success highlights the potential for young innovators to address significant environmental challenges. While alternative paddy varieties and stricter enforcement are already in place to combat stubble burning, the students’ low-cost solution offers a promising additional approach. The details of Pyro Polish were not disclosed in the report.
First Piper 