Growing up in a small village in Sikkim, North East India, Mehar Raj Pradhan had a limited view of the world. Yet, his boundless curiosity and passion for robotics set him on a path of innovation and achievement. As a child, Mehar spent hours building Lego bots and disassembling electronic gadgets, driven by a deep desire to understand their inner workings. This curiosity only intensified during the COVID pandemic, when he transformed a broken hot water dispenser into a hand sanitizer dispenser, showcasing his resourcefulness and creativity.
Mehar’s journey is marked by significant achievements. In 2021, he won first division at Innvo Fest with his project, "Army Safety Gate," inspired by the tragic 2019 terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. This project aimed to improve safety measures for the armed forces. Later that year, he was among the top 125 participants in the prestigious Youth Ideathon at IIT Delhi, where he received the "State Award Winner" title for his project. Sharing his innovation with global participants was a privilege, and he was proud to showcase its potential impact.
These experiences have fueled Mehar's passion for innovation and robotics, driving him to continue creating solutions that make a difference. He has turned his childhood fascination into meaningful projects that can positively impact society. His journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, creativity, and determination, and he looks forward to continuing to innovate and inspire others.
Mehar's life's purpose is to continuously grow and make a positive impact by helping others. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge with rural youth through Cobotics workshops, inspiring them to pursue a career in this exciting field.
Mehar has been honored for his contributions, including recognition from Sikkim Gyan Manch for his dedication to the National Innovation Fest. Receiving the prestigious CSIR Innovation Award for School Students 2022 from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, was a highlight of his journey so far.
His project, "Mission Protector with Raj Feature," was among the top 14 innovative projects selected from across the country, representing St. Augustine's School, Kalimpong, West Bengal.
As a Youth Ideathon Ambassador in 2022, Mehar had the privilege of inspiring young minds in North East India to participate in the Youth Ideathon, fostering their creativity and innovation. Witnessing their passion and enthusiasm for shaping the future was truly fulfilling.
Through these experiences, Mehar has learned that empowering others and making a positive impact is what truly matters. He is committed to continuing this journey, inspiring and helping others achieve their dreams.
The media has widely recognized Mehar's accomplishments. He has been featured in the CSIR's yearly article, highlighting the top 14 candidates for the CSIR Innovation Award. He has also been highlighted in various news articles in Sikkim and West Bengal, such as Sikkim Express, Summit Times, North East Today, and Uttar Banga Sambad. Mehar was awarded the “Recognizing Young Achiever Award,” organized by the Telegraph and held at South City International School, Kolkata, West Bengal.
Mehar is proud to be the first school student from North East India, Sikkim, to publish a research article in the International Journal of Scientific Research on January 1, 2024. He and his uncle spent 3–4 months researching the devastating landslide in Sikkim caused by the bursting of Lonak Lake, and their article, "SAFE HARBOUR," sheds light on this critical issue.
Through his experiences at tech fests, poster presentations, and entrepreneurship fests worldwide, Mehar has come to realize that learning is a lifelong journey. He feels grateful to have grown up in a small village in Sikkim, where he had limited exposure to the world until the 12th grade, but still managed to pursue his passion for research and innovation.
Giving back to his community is essential to Mehar, and he has collaborated with NGOs to promote cobotics at the grassroots level, inspiring young minds to explore this exciting field. He believes that knowledge sharing and community engagement are vital, and he is committed to continuing this path.