GUWAHATI: Gautam Gurung, a cab driver from Meghalaya, won the Dinanath Pandey Smart Idea Innovation Award on Sunday in Guwahati for his creation, the "Automatic Car Sanitizer" which he displayed on Saturday and Sunday at the two-day Innovation Festival held at the Regional Science Centre in Guwahati. The 'Innovation Festival' which has been organized by the Indian Council for Science Museum in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation (NFI), provides a common platform to the people of all the states in the northeast region working in different fields like innovators, artists, performers, crafters, and science demonstrators, among others, showcasing their creativity. Gurung, who had to face a lot of hardship during the COVID-19 period, innovated a mechanism he installed in his Maruti Alto. As per this mechanism, when a passenger opens the door with the handle, sanitizer is sprayed automatically on the seats and indoors. "I keep trying to do new things. It was a difficult phase during COVID-19 for all of us. And as cleanliness is part and parcel of our lives, I decided to innovate on this idea. This will keep us clean and hygienic. Thus the passengers too will be happy," said Gurung, displaying his model. Gurung dedicated the award to his parents. The award was instituted by the family of Dinanath Pandey, who was a master innovator and tried to change the way of life through his innovations. The two-day exhibition featured 32 innovators from the Northeast and West Bengal. They displayed their various innovative devices. "We are thankful to the Regional Science Centre, Guwahati, for providing us with the place to conduct the event."I also thank all the innovators for joining the festival wholeheartedly and boosting our morale," said Sailen Pandey, son of Dinanath Pandey. Mission Director of Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission Krishna Baruah was present as chief guest, and K. Raka Sudhakar Rao, a social activist, journalist, public speaker, and author from Hyderabad, was present as guest of honour during the prize distribution ceremony on Sunday evening. Sujay Das, project coordinator of the Regional Science Centre in Guwahati, and Dr Rajiv Mili, scientist of the National Innovation Foundation in Assam, were also present, stated a press release.
Also Watch: