New Delhi: Neilom Prize for the year 2020-21 for contributing to the space of assistive technology to empower people with disabilities have been jointly awarded to recent graduates of IIT Delhi Dr Richa Gupta and Mr Girish Yadav. Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi felicitated the winners.

The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh, is given every year to the best outgoing student(s) of IIT Delhi for their contribution to the area of assistive technology.

Dr Richa Gupta, an Assistant Professor in human centered design at IIIT-Delhi completed her PhD from Khosla School of Information Technology, IIT Delhi after obtaining her B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIITDM, Jabalpur and Master of Design (M. Des.) from IIT Bombay.

She also worked as project scientist in Assistech Laboratory at IIT Delhi for one year contributing to industrial design of various assistive devices in the space of accessible education and mobility.

Dr Gupta’s doctoral research at IIT Delhi sheds light on the idea of novel design strategies that can aid the retention of tactually acquired graphical information. Her work involved extensive experiments working closely with organizations that excel in accessibility initiatives and inclusion of blind and visually impaired in India (National Association for the Blind) and the USA (Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired).

Mr Girish Yadav did his B. Tech in Production and Industrial Engineering from IIT Delhi and recently completed his M. Des. degree again from IIT Delhi. Girish is a co-founder of Flexmo, an assistive technology product design and manufacturing company focusing on solutions for the elderly and people with locomotor disability.

He was involved in successful design, development and deployment of multiple assistive technology devices, which include Flexmo Crutches, Transito Sit-Stand Device and elderly canes and walkers.

Speaking of Dr Richa Gupta and Mr Girish Yadav’s works in the area of assistive technology, Prof M. Balakrishnan, Founder, Assistech Laboratory, IIT Delhi said, “Successive generation of students and research staff who have worked in this space with passion and commitment are responsible for whatever success ASSISTECH has got in the last 15 years of its existence. We are thankful to Prof. Anand for establishing the Neilom prize, which recognizes the work done by these young graduates.”

Prof PVM Rao, Co-founder, Assistech Laboratory, IIT Delhi said, “Previous awardees of this prize have done exceedingly well and continued to their journey beyond graduation to address grand social challenges facing our Society. We are confident that Neilom Fellows of this year too will embark on the similar path.”

The goal of this prize instituted by Neilom Foundation, Maryland, USA is to inspire and empower recipients, who are Neilom Fellows, to become the leaders of tomorrow and create impactful solutions to reach humanity.

The Neilom Foundation was established by Prof. Davinder K. Anand in the honor of his son Dilip “Neil” Anand. The Foundation’s vision is to support activities to improve the lives of young people working at the intersection of Education and Technology.

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