Young Kalam science fest with focus on water conservation held

Madurai: Students from corporation-run schools took part in the Young Kalam Science Fest held at Elango corporation higher secondary school on Tuesday. The students displayed their models on ‘Addressing Water Scarcity in the Urban Context’ and ‘Renewable Energy for Sustainability’- themes for the fest. Jointly organized by the Madurai corporation and HCL foundation, the exhibition that commemorates the birth anniversary of former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam is taking place for the third consecutive year. Corporation commissioner S Visakan inaugurated the exhibition and interacted with students. The models adjudged the best in the exhibition will be showcased in an event scheduled to take place in Bengaluru.

The students came up with various ideas in the areas of water conservation, treatment of grey water, tapping wind and solar energy. S Mohammed Asik, a class X student of Sundararajapuram corporation higher secondary school said that the themes of the fest were very much relevant to present times. They chose a water treatment model using natural plants, which can be emulated in households and factories. “We are using so much water every time. At a time when the ground water level is receding fast, it is need of the hour to use grey water so that usage of ground water can be minimized,” he said.

Authorities from HCL foundation said they are working to conserve the environment and develop the ground water table in Madurai besides contributing to the education sector. Director of HCL foundation, Nidhi Pundhir, said that water issues in Madurai were worthy of concern and that they are looking at investing in workable models and projects of water harvesting. “We are talking to the government and different institutions to harvest roof water. We are also looking at water bodies and removal of juliflora trees,” she said.