**Innovative Student Creations on Display at the 12th Bhopal Vigyan Mela**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) — The 12th Bhopal Vigyan Mela, currently underway at the Barkatullah University premises, showcases a variety of working models designed by students to address practical, day-to-day challenges. From smart shoes for the visually challenged to robots for soldier protection, and systems aimed at farm safety and road accident prevention, these innovations highlight youthful ingenuity and problem-solving.

**Smart Shoes to Navigate for the Visually Challenged**

One of the standout creations is an Electronic Travelling Aid (ETA) kit fixed onto shoes, helping visually impaired users navigate obstacle-free paths. Equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, the device estimates distances to nearby obstacles and alerts the wearer. Additionally, it integrates GPS technology to assist in navigation.

Mustafa, one of the four students from IES University’s Pharmacy Department behind this innovation, shared that their inspiration came from watching a reel highlighting the daily challenges faced by visually impaired individuals while navigating streets. “This will make the visually challenged ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant),” he added.

**Yoddha: A Protective Robot for Soldiers**

Designed by four second-year mechanical engineering students from SISTEC, Yoddha is a battery-operated, remote-controlled robot constructed with a durable frame. Its unique oval-shaped wheels allow smooth movement over small hills and muddy terrain.

Compact and powered by a high-torque gearbox, the four-wheeled robot is equipped with a camera and ammunition. Nayan Gurjar, one of the designers, explained, “The primary objective is to protect soldiers’ lives during armed conflicts by enabling them to see and assess what lies ahead before making a move.”

**Fire Shield: An IoT-Based Farm Fire Detector**

Fire Shield is an innovative system designed by four Electronics and Communication students from Oriental College of Technology to safeguard farms from fire damage. This IoT-enabled device sends real-time alerts to the farm owner’s mobile phone, enabling a prompt response. If the fire continues for two minutes, an automatic alert is sent to the fire brigade.

Diksha Kushwaha, a team member, recalled how an incident in her village in Vidisha inspired the project. “A firecracker burst during a wedding procession caused a fire that destroyed standing crops,” she said, emphasizing the need for such technology.

**Suraksha Kavach: Preventing Underside Road Accidents**

Suraksha Kavach is a protective shield designed to minimize injuries from underside road accidents—when small vehicles collide with the rear underside of running or parked trucks. The device consists of a metal frame with a flexible rounded spring, mounted on the rear end of trucks.

Abhilash Prajapati, one of the three third-year students from SISTEC, Gandhi Nagar, who developed the Kavach, pointed out, “India experiences one of the highest rates of road accidents worldwide, with around 1.5 lakh lives lost annually. Our model aims to reduce fatalities caused by such accidents.”

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The Bhopal Vigyan Mela offers a platform for young innovators to present practical solutions that address significant challenges, blending technology with social responsibility. These projects not only highlight creativity but also promise impactful benefits for society.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-creativity-reigns-12th-bhopal-vigyan-mela-on-at-barkatullah-university