IIT Madras, CLRI and Industrial Waste Management Association (IWMA) recently organised ‘Young Environmental Scientist Awards 2012’ at the IC&SR Auditorium, IIT Madras Campus.

Industrial Waste Management Association (IWMA) is a non-profit Association promoted by the Pollution Control Board to facilitate secure disposal of industrial wastes in Tamil Nadu. It has a membership of around 1,000 industries and has facilitated the establishment of a state-of-the-art incineration and landfill site for the safe disposal of hazardous waste from industries. The IWMA has instituted the Young Environmental Scientist (Y E S) award for the best teams from city schools on projects relating to Recycling, Waste Management, Rain Water Harvesting, Climate Change and Energy/Water Conservation. Faculty from IIT, scientists from CLRI and technocrats from the industries formed the panel of judges.

Out of nearly 50 participating teams, 10 each in junior and senior categories were selected to exhibit their projects and make a presentation at the event.

Prof R Nagarajan, Professor of Chemical Engg, IIT Madras was the Chief Guest. Prof Nagarajan, in his speech, urged students to follow their instincts.

Ajit Narayanan, a young entrepreneur, was pronounced winner of the MIT Innovator of the Year Award. Ajit was given the award for his product Avaz that provides a ‘voice’ to a non-verbal child with Cerebral Palsy. He addressed the young children and teachers.