Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, as part of its efforts to spread awareness on the use of renewable energy and educate children on sustainability, has organized a unique Solar Cooking Workshop ‘Suryakumbh’ to mark the observation of World Students’ Day on 15th October. Commemorating the Birth Anniversary of Former President of India Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Institute has taken up this initiative as a tribute to the great scientist and teacher of India to invoke scientific aptitude among the schoolchildren and encourage them to learn and implement a sustainable living style.

The Design Innovation Centre (Sponsored by Ministry of Education, Govt. of India), IIT Bhubaneswar, in association with the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) and Entrepreneurship Cell of the Institute organized the workshop. Above 400 government school students from the five adopted villages and the migrant workers’ settlement of the Institute participated in this workshop. During the workshop, they received training on building and utilizing solar cookers for cooking. They baked cakes using these solar cookers. This hands-on experience not only imparted knowledge about clean energy alternatives but also fostered an understanding of innovative design concepts and engineering principles. The students took these cookers home to assist in preparing a portion of their school's midday meals, contributing to sustainable practices. At the outset, Mr. Vivek Kabra from Simplified Technologies for Life shared his experiences related to solar energy and imparted training to the students on the assembly and usage of solar cookers. 

Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, graced the workshop and appreciated the initiative. He interacted with the students and the volunteers of the programme and discussed the use of solar energy and a sustainable way of living.

Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki, Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay also graced the occasion and inspired the participants of the workshop. Prof. Solanki is known for his initiative the ‘Energy Swaraj Yatra’. Addressing the children, Prof. Solanki shared his experience of leading a sustainable life by efficiently using solar energy. He encouraged the students to make the use of clean energy a life-habit. 

Among others, Dr. Rajesh Roshan Dash, Dean (Student Affairs), Mr. Bamadev Acharya, Registrar, Dr. Rajan Jha, Head, School of Basic Sciences of the Institute were present on the occasion.

Dr. Venugopal Arumuru, Professor-in-Charge (Entrepreneurship Cell), along with Dr. Seema Bahinipati, Coordinator-Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Prof. Arun Kumar Pradhan, Prof. Mihir Kumar Pandit and Prof. Satyanarayan Panigrahi, Coordinators, Design Innovation Centre, IIT Bhubaneswar, coordinated the workshop.