NEW DELHI: A few months ago, a landfill in the national capital gave in and another caught fire. Though the National Green Tribunal has been constantly breathing down authorities’ necks over waste management, there has been no positive development.
However, far from home in the United States of America, a 29-year-old Indian from Hyderabad, Vamsidhar Reddy Patlolla, has got a pat on the back from the US Congress for his innovative and novel work in helping to reduce landfills. Moreover, he has a patent to show for his invention.
“Your accomplishment in reducing waste in large-scale manufacturing process is a terrific accomplishment. This solution will play a critical role in reducing the growth of landfills and improving the environment as a whole,” the congratulatory note from US Member of Congress Ron Estes said.
Vamsidhar, a PhD student at the Wichita State University in Kansas, has invented a process by which solid waste is recycled into value-added products. He has also been honoured with the Young Innovation Award by his university. “I am very humbled to be honoured. Being congratulated by a member of the US Congress has added more responsibility and will motivate me to keep working hard and continue giving back to society,” he said.
Vamsidhar said there’s a lot of hazardous waste generated in the aerospace manufacturing industry and good quality, expensive fibres were being discarded. “This is because there are few cost-effective recycling solutions available. My advisor Ramazan Asmatulu and I, at the university, invented this technology to recycle fibres into value-added products which can be used in industries like automotive, sports, construction, etc,” he said.
Vamsidhar explained, “This is because there are very few cost-effective recycling solutions available. My advisor Ramazan Asmatulu and I, at the university, invented this technology to recycle these fibres into value-added products which can be used in various industries like automotive, sports, constructions, etc.”
Apart from the US Congress, Asmatulu is all praise for him. “Of the 120-odd graduate students that I have, Vamsidhar is the best. He is extremely hard working and very research oriented. His efforts have been rightly appreciated,” he said.
He said he would be honoured and proud, if presented with the opportunity to collaborate with the Indian government or any organisation to reduce the problems of landfilling.
Vamsidhar said his journey to reach thus far has been challenging but his family and friends have been instrumental in helping him face them.
“It is incredibly gratifying to know that I am contributing, albeit in a small way, to preserve the environment. People like APJ Abdul Kalam have inspired and helped me pursue my dream of being an innovator,” he said.
Vamsidhar added that he would be forever indebted to his university for providing him the opportunity to pursue his dream.