Chhattisgarh Student Wins Gold at National Innovation Challenge for Turning Rice Husk into Bioplastic

Raipur
In a remarkable achievement that puts Chhattisgarh on the innovation map, Shourya Singh, a Class 10 student, has bagged the Gold Medal (First Position) at the Indian Young Inventors and Innovators Challenge (IYIIC) for his groundbreaking project titled “Waste to Wonder.”

The young innovator developed bioplastic and seed-embedded paper from rice husk, one of India’s most abundant but underutilised agricultural by-products. His invention offers an eco-friendly substitute for petroleum-based plastics while simultaneously addressing the problem of crop residue burning.

Shourya’s bioplastic—created using rice husk powder, starch, glycerol, and natural binders—achieved 10–15 MPa tensile strength and 80–90% biodegradation within six months. The complementary seed-embedded paper, made from the same pulp, recorded 85% seed germination within two weeks, making it a sustainable, plantable alternative to traditional paper.

Experts hailed the innovation for its scientific simplicity, rural relevance, and environmental necessity. A research analyst from a private polymer company described it as “a measurable step toward small-scale biodegradable packaging solutions with strong local market potential.”

Shourya envisions expanding his project into village-based production units, which he believes could create employment, reduce emissions, and promote circular economy practices.

“My goal is to make sustainability a habit, not a luxury,” he said with quiet confidence.

Guided by his mentor and science teacher Zigyasa Singh, Shourya refined his idea into a practical and scientifically sound prototype.

“He combines creativity with discipline,” said Zigyasa. “His innovation proves that science can be both beautiful and responsible.”

The awards were presented by an eminent panel including Prof. Rajiv Prakash (Director, IIT Bhilai), Dr. D. Y. Patil (Retd. Chief of Staff, ISRO), Dr. Gaurav Kumar Singh (IAS, Raipur), and the CBSE Regional Director.

The event, organised under the aegis of the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Government of India, was hosted by NH Goel World School, Raipur. It was inaugurated by Dr. Nilesh Desai (Director, ISRO–Space Applications Centre, SAC), who lauded the young innovators for their vision and curiosity.

A student of Holy Cross Convent Senior Secondary School, Ambikapur, Shourya’s triumph stands as a proud moment for his institution and state alike. His project exemplifies how youthful imagination and scientific inquiry can transform agricultural waste into an instrument of sustainability—truly turning waste into wonder, Zigyasa said.