Wednesday, 18 June 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Karnataka - Aadya Kanchan, a high school student from Bengaluru, clinched the Gold Medal at the GENIUS Olympiad 2025 in the U.S. for her smart water conservation project, NIRI
Published Jun 18, 2025 | 8:41 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 18, 2025 | 8:41 PM
Synopsis: At Bengaluru’s Hasiru Habba, over 1,500 waste pickers, largely women, Dalits, and Adivasis, highlighted their contributions to environmental sustainability. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced that KMF has been directed to apply for setting up Nandini outlets at eight Bengaluru metro stations, responding to Amul’s early entry
Aadya Kanchan, a high school student from Bengaluru, has made the nation proud by winning a Gold Medal at the prestigious GENIUS Olympiad 2025, hosted by Rochester Institute of Technology, USA. Her project, NIRI—a smart water conservation device—stood out among 1,698 entries from 69 countries, making her the only Indian gold medalist.
Aadya also had the honor of being India’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Her achievement comes with a $25,000 renewable scholarship to RIT and a research paper publication opportunity in the International Journal of High School Research. In a double triumph, Aadya was also titled the National Water Champion at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2025 held at IIT Madras in the month of May. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “The week was inspiring and humbling — science truly has the power to change the world.
At Hasiru Habba (Green Festival) 2025, over 1,500 waste pickers gathered in Bengaluru to celebrate their vital yet often invisible role as climate warriors. Organized by Hasiru Dala on World Environment Day, the event spotlighted the contributions of Karnataka’s 4.23 lakh waste pickers—many of them Dalits, Adivasis, and women—who power the circular economy by diverting thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills.
Despite their impact, 95% remain without health insurance and basic amenities. The community demanded stronger policy inclusion, establishment of Dry Waste Collection Centres in tier-2 cities, three-way waste segregation involving pickers, and safe recycling hubs. “We need to strengthen ourselves. We don’t have representation from the governments and we demand that. We demand education and our rights,” said Leelavathi, Organising Secretary of Women’s Voice, urging government support for education and infrastructure.
Joida, located on the edge of the Kali Tiger Reserve and known as India’s second greenest region with 83% forest cover, is on track to become Karnataka’s first organic taluk. Farmers in this sparsely populated area of Uttara Kannada have already adopted a zero-fertilizer policy, relying on green manure for cultivating native crops like paddy, sugarcane, and honey.
At a local event on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Cheuvarayaswamy announced government support for farm equipment, planting material, and crop sowing. He also pledged assistance in certification and marketing. The organic initiative, proposed in 2021, was included in the 2025 state budget. “In three years, Joida will be fully organic,” the minister said, as enthusiastic farmers celebrated the milestone with local produce displays.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the KMF has been instructed to submit an application to BMRCL to open Nandini outlets in 8 metro stations.
He said, “BMRCL had called for a global tender and Amul was the lone applicant. We have instructed KMF to submit its application to BMRCL. KMF will open Nandini outlets in 8 metro stations.”
“Amul has already opened its outlets in two metro stations. It is not appropriate to close down the existing outlets. We have informed the BMRCL to allow KMF to open Nandi outlets in the remaining 8 metro stations,” he added.
A stigma-free and unrecorded service by Birla Fertility & IVF, Fertility Circle is available across India at the toll-free number – 1800 123 1515 – on weekdays between 9AM and 6PM in English and Hindi.
Birla Fertility & IVF has launched Fertility Circle (1800 123 1515), a first-of-its-kind toll-free support line offering unrecorded fertility counselling services. Available across India in English and Hindi, with plans to extend to regional languages, the initiative is designed to support individuals and couples with guidance, emotional support and clarity, whether they’re planning for parenthood, trying to conceive, considering treatment or simply navigating questions around fertility.
Fertility Circle was created to address a need that is often left unspoken: the lack of accessible, stigma-free, and trustworthy guidance. Fertility struggles are deeply personal and often isolating. An internal study by Birla Fertility & IVF found that over 90% of individuals facing fertility challenges experience emotional exhaustion, yet only 29% seek timely professional support. Many delay getting help for over two years, held back by confusion, stigma, or simply not knowing where to begin. Fertility Circle aims to bridge this gap by offering judgement-free guidance from trained counsellors, with no cost, no pressure, and complete confidentiality.
“We launched Fertility Circle to make it easier for people to start the conversation without fear, without pressure and without cost,” said Abhishek Aggrawal, Chief Executive Officer, Birla Fertility & IVF. “Whether someone is looking for answers, reassurance or just a listening ear, this service makes sure they’re not left navigating these questions alone. It reflects our belief that true fertility care goes beyond the clinic; it starts with clarity and compassion.”
The Karnataka government has launched a landmark study to assess the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the state’s IT workforce. The findings will inform the upcoming IT Policy-2025 and guide skilling efforts under the NIPUNA Karnataka programme. The study will identify skill gaps, emerging job roles, and disruptions triggered by AI adoption across industries.
The AI Workforce Impact Survey, open until 27 June, invites input from industry leaders, HR professionals, technologists, and academia. IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized the need to align talent with tech advancement, stating, “But as AI rapidly reshapes industries, we must ensure that our people are not left behind. The insights will help shape inclusive, evidence-based policies and safeguard Karnataka’s position as a leader in the AI economy.
