5 Chd teens represent India in Japan

Chandigarh: Five young minds from Chandigarh, aged between 15 and 17, recently returned from a remarkable scientific journey to Japan — a fully-funded trip under the Sakura Science High School Program. Their visit, organised by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), brought them face to face with global peers and cutting-edge institutions in Tokyo, all thanks to the Govt of India's INSPIRE-MANAK scheme that supports grassroots innovation in schools.The five students earned their place on the international platform after being shortlisted from about 70 participants in Chandigarh. They then competed at the national level in Delhi, where their ideas stood out for their originality, social relevance, and technical design. Ambica Thakur, a long-time mentor and the city's nodal officer for the programme, accompanied them. "They're problem-solvers with purpose. This experience gave them a glimpse of where science can take them — from school labs to global stages," she said. Seventeen-year-old Adarsh, a student at GMSSS Sector 8B, developed a wearable ‘jogging charger' — a device that uses leg movement to generate electricity, capable of powering small gadgets. At home, his father Arvind Kumar works as a gardener, while his mother Sushila Gupta supports the family through tailoring.Sixteen-year-old Janeesha Kaur Chawla, from Delhi Public School Sector 40-C, created a mobile app designed to support children with intellectual disabilities, offering therapy connections, community forums, and emergency services. Rohan Dhiman, also 16, built a portable, digital traffic-control system — a practical solution for areas without functioning signals. His father, Vikal Dhiman, is a mason, and his mother, Suman Rani, a homemaker.Sneha, 17, from Maloya colony, designed a compact mechanical door blocker for added security during emergencies. Her father Sunil Kumar works in the health department, while her mother Jasvinder Kaur manages the household.Fifteen-year-old Mannat Bhargava from Kundan International School devised a GPS-enabled hairclip for women's safety, complete with an SOS button, live audio features, and automatic alerts. Her parents, Sachin and Dolly Bhargava, run an HR consultancy in Chandigarh.Their week in Japan was more than just a science tour — it was a journey that bridged ideas and cultures, and reminded each of them that innovation knows no boundaries.