From a village with no electricity or toilets to representing India on the global science stage — 17-year-old Pooja from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, is a testament to grit and genius.
From a village with no electricity or toilets to representing India on the global science stage — 17-year-old Pooja from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, is a testament to grit and genius.
The daughter of a daily-wage labourer, Pooja’s journey began in Class 8 when she noticed children coughing near a wheat thresher. She didn’t just observe — she acted. Using scrap metal, tin sheets, and a fan, she built a dust-free thresher that filters out harmful agricultural particles. With her teacher’s support, her creation earned national recognition at the INSPIRE Awards.
Last month, her innovation took her to Japan — the only student from Uttar Pradesh selected for the prestigious Sakura Science High School Programme, among just 54 from across India.
Pooja’s story is more than an invention — it’s a reminder that brilliance can rise from anywhere. All it takes is one question: “What can I do to change this?” — and the courage to answer it.
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