Kochi: Four youngsters are all set to make Kerala proud as the latest chapter of the United Nations' annual youth assembly is scheduled to begin on February 14. As the UN headquarters in the New York City gets ready to welcome over 1,000 young volunteers from across the globe, who aspire to bring a positive change on this planet, four young science enthusiasts from the southern state are excited to represent the nation on an international platform. Niranjana, Advaith, Akhil and Manju are among the 10 Indian scholars from the Indian Institute of Science and Technology (IISC), Bengaluru, who have been selected as delegates for the iconic Youth Assembly at the UN.
The 21st session of the annual event revolves around the theme 'Innovation and collaboration for a sustainable world'. The delegates have been selected following a screening session based on their social outlook and the sustainability of their research model. Each of the 10 delegates from India has a unique research area which would contribute to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) laid out by the UN. The assembly that commences on February 14 will end on February 16.
From 'clean energy' to 'peer-to-peer energy trade'
Akhil Joseph, who hails from Thrissur, has a distinctive outlook about the marketing of renewable energy. He believes that renewable energy can effectively be integrated to the modern network infrastructures used in telecommunication and thus save a large amount of non-renewable energy such as crude oil. Akhil, a PhD scholar in the department of management studies, IISc, has also modeled a market framework which facilitates an exceptional peer-to-peer energy trade, based on the modern IoT (Internet of Things) technology that allots unique identification codes for animals and objects. The only son of a teaching couple from Aluva, Akhil completed his bachelors in engineering from Amrita Vidyalayam, Kochi. “I look forward to understand the global prospects of my sustainable energy consumption model through this international youth assembly. I am glad that such welcoming arenas are open for innovative youth,” Akhil told Onmanorama.
Committed to a cause
Niranjana Ambadi, a Pala-based research scholar pursuing her PhD in electronics and communication, is working on an effective public-private-partnership model to enable smart learning in underprivileged girls. Eldest of the two daughters of Maya and Ajith Kumar, a banker–college lecturer couple, Niranjana says that she wouldn't mix her passion with her profession. “To help my underprivileged peers is my responsibility towards society. I hope to build a strong international contact base by attending the UN youth assembly which would help me accomplish my vision,” she says.
Manju for 'Miyawaki method'
Manju Miniraj, a student of M.Tech in electronics and communication, stands for the conservation and sustainable development of mangrove forests in Kerala. She envisages an effective implementation of the 'Miyawaki method' of commercial forestry to recover the lost native forests. 'Miyawaki method' is a specialized vegetation restoration strategy named after famed Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. “Though a scientist by profession, I have been deeply disturbed by the degeneration of natural and forest resources. I wish to attract a global attention to the grave decline of mangrove forests in Kerala and fix it before it is too late. I also wish to develop a sustainable scientific model for the same which could be implemented worldwide,” says Manju. The Chalakudy girl has already been placed as a scientist at the Defense Research and Development Organisation, New Delhi.
For clean energy
Advaith, an Ernakulam youth, has successfully developed a 'clean energy' production unit using solar and thermal energy sources. Advaith's concept of zero-waste reservoir is able to store large amount of energy and supply it in affordable prices during night and winter. For Advaith, energy conservation doesn't meet its social ends until it minimizes and recycles its production waste.
There are six other Indians in the team which starts their journey to New York on February 9. Ashish Chopra, Gaurav Dilip Tikas, Naveen B Ramu, Navjot Kaur, Rishab Bhatra and Raunak Handa, along with the Keralites, constitute the team.
It was on September 25, 2015 that the United Nations general assembly unanimously adopted the resolution of “transforming our world with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.” The historic document lays out 17 goals which aim to mobilize global efforts to end poverty, foster peace, safeguard the rights and dignity of all people, and to protect the planet.
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