Bangladesh wins People's Choice Award at Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Bangladesh has won the People's Choice Award at Stockholm Junior Water Prize for using naturally produced polyglutamic acid along with moringa to purify water.

Aditya Kumar Chowdhury and Iftekhar Khaled, the students of Mastermind English Medium School, represented Bangladesh in the competition.

The announcement was made on August 25 at the final phase of the 'Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2020', according to a press release issued today.

Bangladesh team won the award with the highest number of votes. Japan is this year's champion while the USA won the Diploma of Excellence award.

Delegations from 29 countries submitted their ideas for this year's competition. Among these ideas, the best 12 teams, including Bangladesh, were selected for the final round.

Aditya and Iftekhar's project was 'Power solution by mixing Moringa oleifera for water purification' to reduce water contamination and bacteria at a very low cost.

Hasin Jahan, country director of WaterAid Bangladesh said, "WaterAid is a believer of youth power which is why we continue to invest in youth and support them to bring innovative solutions for today and the future. This is a proud moment for all.''

Regarding Aditya and Iftekhar's project, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Associate Professor Dr Mohidus Samad Khan said, the proposed invention offers high promises in water treatment.

"This product is biocompatible and can be easily used in potable water treatment both in remote and urban areas. On the other hand, it can be used for industrial wastewater treatment. Therefore, this invention offers high commercial value," he said.

With an aim to inspire youth and to engage them in water and environmental issues, the Junior Water Prize competition is held every year in August in Sweden, on World Water Week.

Young people aged between 15 to 20 years participate in this programme from over 30 countries. Every other year, the competition takes place in Stockholm but this year it was organised virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteers Foundation Bangladesh is the key organiser of this competition in Bangladesh, and WaterAid Bangladesh and Estex are the co-organiser and technical partners, respectively.