And the win goes to…… 

The “latecomer” and the “storyteller”. That is how the duo, Diljot and Yashvi, call each other. Who is who? Hmmm, hint, both ran this year, one in the Universities’ VC run in May and the other in the Oshwal festival of friendship run in February. It appears our inventors are running their minds from the ground. 

How did you usher yourselves to the prize money?

Let’s just say we responded to an email sent to all students. In addition, Diljot happened to have participated in the premier competition and was taking a second chance. One of the requirements was that each set of participants had to be from different schools so we were the perfect duo.

With that said, it took the help of our project mentor and SU lecturer, Mr. Mark Kiiru. His feedback, including urging us to have a sample product for the judges to see, made all the difference.

How long have you known each other? 

We met in June this year during graduation. Both of us coincidentally served as ushers, and a simple ‘hello’ amidst the chaos of the day transformed two strangers into potential business partners, and most importantly, lifelong friends.

What is the one thing you would change about the competition?

Both of us happened to have exams in the final week of the competition. I remember our presentation took place a bit later than planned because one of us had an exam on the D-day. Talk about being on the edge; hoping you wouldn’t forget what you had studied or mistakenly mention it during your presentation.

What would you like us to remember about the competition? 

That everyone who participated is a winner, by the fact that we all took the time to think and invent something that solved a problem. We believe that the constructive feedback given to all of us by the judges was meant to help better our inventions.  

Over and above, we urge everyone to take advantage of the opportunities around campus, by actively checking your email, looking out for what is running on the STC screen and checking out posters in the lifts. Remember, sometimes opportunities only knock once, so Jitume! 

Any nuggets for our reader? 

Sure, I bet they may want to know that:

1. The world produces 92 million tons of textile waste every year.
2. Clothes can take up to 40 years to decompose.
3. 95% of textiles can be recycled.

Plan for the big win?

We are yet to agree on how to treat ourselves, all we know is that it has to be memorable. However, suggestions are being made to us. We have agreed to use the bigger chunk to further our invention. 

Purpose to take advantage of opportunities that come your way, even when you do not know the outcome. 

Congratulations to Diljot – 3rd year, Bachelor of Commerce and Yashvi – 4th year, Bachelor of Business IT for their invention “ReFabriCrafters” that aims at turning cotton textile waste to degradable paper. 

This article was written by Annete Karanja.