The Initiative for Research in STEM (IRIS) is a science fair held in India, as Stage 1, in the selection, to present your research at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held annually in the U.S. The IRIS Science fair, seemed to be the perfect reason to start working towards researching the field I have always wanted to,  having been exposed to many a dinner table discussion on ‘ effluent water discharge’. My family business background is in the textile sector, and I have been privy to the production process since childhood. 

I decided to focus on the colour of the dye effluents released by textile-dying factories. While researching what could be used for such treatment, I stumbled upon the use of Moringa Oleifera seeds (Drumstick Seeds) as a viable option. Reading more about it, I stumbled upon a university not far away from where I live, where I could go and do this research. Keeping this in mind, I reached out to Professor Saurabh Kulshrestha, Professor of Biotechnology & Dean for Research & Development at Shoolini University, Solan, HP

To my surprise, he responded positively and agreed to mentor me. I grabbed the opportunity to go and stay there one summer and research! The PowerPoint below is a part of my submission to the IRIS national fair for the treatment of Textile Dye effluent. Using Moringa Oleifera for the treatment, reduction was seen in the following: Optical Density@610nm; Nitrate; Sulphate; pH. “

I followed this up with an internship the following winter at our factory and with one at the CETP ( central effluent treatment plant) plant in Baddi, HP.