Srinagar, Nov 25: Shahida Bano, a 17-year-old girl from Sheeri Narvaw in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, has emerged as a promising young innovator from Jammu and Kashmir.

She has received the prestigious Inspire National Award and emerged victorious in the Inventor India Challenge. 

Shahida is also one of the innovators across India who has visited Japan as part of the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Programme in Science under the SAKURA Exchange Programme in Science.

Currently, she is pursuing her studies in the medical field as an 11th standard student at Government Higher Secondary School Fathegarh Baramulla.

While talking to Rising Kashmir, Shahida said that when she was  studying in the 8th grade at Government Boys Middle School Sheeri Payeen, she shared her idea of a smart key that can prevent minors from driving on Indian roads. Her innovative concept involves a smart vehicle key that uses a fingerprint sensor to detect the age and license number of the driver. 

She expressed gratitude towards her school teacher, Riyaz Ahmad Ganai, for his guidance and support in developing her idea. She proudly shared that her innovative idea was selected for the Inspire National Award, where she was one of the 59 young innovators across India whose ideas were recognized and awarded.

Shahida said that during the year 2021, she was honored with a prestigious national award by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF). As a recipient, she was presented with a trophy, a national certificate, and a laptop. Additionally, she emerged victorious in 'The Inventor Challenge,' which was sponsored by Colors infinity. During the show, Bano was awarded a check of 10 lakh rupees by Colors infinity.

 Furthermore, she had the opportunity to participate in the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Programme in Science, specifically the SAKURA Exchange Programme in Science, from November 5th to 11th.

Shahida was among the 60 national innovators from India who visited Japan as part of this program. It is worth noting that the entire trip was fully funded by the National Innovation Foundation with the support of the Government of India.

Shahida mentioned that throughout her week-long stay in Japan, she composed a travel journal titled "Sheeri to Japan: A Voyage of Memories and Enlightenment." In this journal, she meticulously documented every detail of her experiences in Japan. “This journey has truly become an inspiring expedition for me, as I have gained valuable insights into various aspects of life and innovation. These lessons have left a profound impact on me, and I aspire to incorporate them into my own life.”

Shahida plans to enhance her prototype device by incorporating additional features, aiming to provide maximum benefits to people across India at the grassroots level.