Indrani Basu
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Kharghar girl, Isha Dave, has found a cost-effective food product to combat dietary deficiencies and malnutrition. She has developed a vegetarian formula, Nutrameal Nutrition from Weed. The formula has been developed from weeds which are easily available.
Dave also received Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) award, 2016 for developing the formula. She was awarded a trophy , certificate and Rs10,000 cash.
Dave came up with the idea of developing the formula after reading about weeds in her biology book. “When I read that almost all weeds suck up the nutrition, I got the idea that weeds must be very nutritious,“ she shared.
Dave researched to find out which weeds are edible and finally selected four which are edible, commonly available and fulfill all parameters required for providing proper nutrition to both young and old. “My basic finding is that the se weeds can address the qualitative and quantitative nutritional needs of an individual,“ she added.
Dave did not divulge details about her formula as she is going to patent her formula. But she did say that the formula is in powder form and can be given to anybody . The formula, at a cost of Rs 10 per pack, will provide proteins, carbohydrates and minerals and can taken directly or as a supplement.
Dave applied for the competition after she came across an advertisement in January . She had submitted the formula online and was among the 35 shortlisted students.
A high-level awards selection committee chose 14 students, including Dave, who had submitted ideas which can be developed into feasible projects.CSIR Innovation Award for School Children is an annual competition which invites school children to send their original technological and design ideas.
Source: Edition:TimesofIndia(NaviMumbai) [Date:02-10-2016 ] http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31840&articlexml=Kghar-girl-wins-award-or-inventing-weed-based-02102016016043
