In an inspiring tale of grit and genius, 17-year-old Pooja Pal from Agehra village in Barabanki has risen from a humble thatched hut to national acclaim. Her groundbreaking invention—a dust-free wheat thresher—has earned her one of the country's highest honors for children, the Prime Minister's Bal Puraskar.
From Classroom Problem to National Solution
The spark for this life-changing innovation was lit not in a lab, but in a dusty classroom. While studying in Class 7 and participating in the National Children's Science Congress, Pooja observed a persistent problem. Dust from a wheat thresher operating near her school would routinely invade classrooms, making it hard to concentrate and breathe. "It became difficult to read, write or even breathe," Pooja recalled.
The solution came from a simple, everyday sight. Watching her mother sieve flour at home, Pooja had a eureka moment. She realized that if a mesh could separate fine particles in a kitchen, a similar mechanism could trap hazardous dust during threshing. With guidance from her dedicated science teacher, Rajeev Srivastava, she began developing a practical, low-cost solution.
The Journey of the 'Bhusa-Dhool Prithakkaran Yantra'
The path from idea to reality was filled with trial and error. Initial prototypes made of paper and wood failed. Unfazed, Pooja persisted. She refined her design and, using tin sheets and a welding machine, finally fabricated a functional model. Her invention, named the 'Bhusa-Dhool Prithakkaran Yantra' (chaff and dust separation device), successfully reduces the release of harmful dust and microscopic particles during grain separation—particles known to damage lungs and worsen respiratory diseases.
Her model quickly gained attention beyond Barabanki district. It was evaluated and approved by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology and selected under the prestigious INSPIRE Award standards. This recognition opened doors to international exposure. In 2025, Pooja was chosen for the elite Sakura Science High School Programme in Japan, becoming the only student from Uttar Pradesh among 54 Indian participants. The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier honored her as a "child scientist" with a Rs 1 lakh award.
A Recognition of Merit and Resilience
Pooja's stellar achievement shines even brighter against the backdrop of her family's hardships. Her father, Putti Lal, is a daily-wage laborer, and her mother, Sunila Devi, works as a cook in a government school. The family of seven lives in a small hut made of straw and weeds. Recognizing both her merit and their need, the district administration, led by DM Shashank Tripathi, has sanctioned a permanent house for the family under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Pooja is among 20 children selected from across India for the Prime Minister's Bal Puraskar, which will be conferred on December 26. Confirming the news, DM Tripathi stated that the central government has recognized Pooja's significant contribution to science, technology, and innovation. Her story powerfully demonstrates how transformative, problem-solving ideas can emerge from the most modest backgrounds to inspire a nation.
