This boy won Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE award for his innovative idea to stop the circulation of black money.

Amid the ongoing ban on Rs 500 and 1000 note, a Chandigarh boy, Madhur Gupta won the coveted Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE award for his innovative idea of "secured currency notes."

What is Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award?

  • Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award is a national competition
  • It's a cut-throat competition, in which students must send original impressive ideas
  • It aims to promote creativity and originality in terms of ideas among students
  • Those studying in school or those out of school up to the age of 17 years can apply
  • The competition is organised by the National Innovation of India (NIF) in association with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Honey Bee Network
  • Every year, students submit their innovative ideas to NIF, an autonomous body of the department of science and technology

Who is the latest winner?

  • Madhur Gupta, a class 12 student of Guru Gobind Singh Public School, was awarded by President Pranab Mukherjee on November 7at a function organised in Delhi, reported the Indian Express
  • He was one of the 31 selected students from over 55,000 entries
  • On winning the prestigious title, he said, "If my idea is implemented, circulation of forged currency and black money can be checked. He further claimed that many other currency-related crimes will be controlled."
  • He was elated to have met the President and said, "I was on cloud nine after receiving the award from him."