In the village of Semmambadi in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, Dinesh Kumar, 7th-grade student from the government school is using his exposure to AI & Technology to turn personal tragedy into community-driven innovation. Motivated by the loss of his sister in an accident near an unguarded construction site, Dinesh developed a sensor gate that activates an alarm to warn and prevent unauthorized access at construction areas. His project, part of the BRAINIAC challenge under eVidyaloka’s Build Rural Artificial Intelligence Network (BRAIN) program and supported by Microsoft, exemplifies how AI education can empower students to create real-world solutions. Launched in 2023-24 and expanding in 2024-25 to reach 36,878 students across 10 states, the program fosters creativity and problem-solving by encouraging young minds to address community issues through AI. Dinesh’s practical and compassionate invention reflects the transformative power of student-led innovation, highlighting the role of youth in shaping safer, smarter communities.
eVidyaloka, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2011, is transforming rural education in India by leveraging technology and volunteerism to address important challenges like teacher shortages and poor teaching quality. With a mission to create a knowledgeable and empowered India, eVidyaloka delivers quality education to children aged 10–15 through innovative programs like Teach through Television (TTT), which has garnered 3.6 crore views across 300 districts, and the Digital Classroom model that connects global volunteers with rural students via tech-enabled classrooms in 950 schools across 16 states. The organization, supported by over 70,000 volunteers from 40+ countries through the years and various funding and corporate partners, has impacted over 2 lakh children and clocked more than 8.5 million child learning hours.
In regard to the latest innovation of the student, Constrofacilitator had exclusive interview with Ms. Brinda Poornapragna – CEO, eVidyaloka. She brings over 28 years of leadership experience across technology, financial services, and the social sector, having held key roles at Capgemini, Hewlett Packard, ANZ, JP Morgan, and the Bank of Nova Scotia. Her transformative journey into the social sector began in 2019 when she taught in remote Himalayan schools, a turning point that inspired her shift from the corporate world to lead eVidyaloka in its mission to deliver quality education to rural India. Her commitment has earned her accolades such as “Social Leader of the Year” at the 2023 Sabera Awards and “Top Visionary CEO” by the Times Group in 2024.
During the interview she shared insights on how Dinesh transformed personal tragedy into innovation by developing a construction site safety sensor, supported by the BRAINIAC program and eVidyaloka’s efforts to enable digital learning in rural India.
Here are the excerpts from the interview
1. What was the main motivation behind the` project, and how does it aim to solve a real-world problem?
Dinesh Kumar’s project was deeply personal. His motivation stemmed from the tragic loss of his sister in an accident near a construction site. This experience left a lasting impact and led him to think about how technology could help prevent similar incidents. His project—a sensor gate for construction site safety—aims to solve the real-world issue of unsecured work zones by triggering an alert when someone approaches, particularly in areas where children may unknowingly wander into danger. It’s a simple yet powerful idea grounded in lived experience.
2`. What specific issue in your community or surroundings did you try to address through your innovation?
In Dinesh’s village, like in many rural areas, construction sites are often left unfenced and unmonitored, posing risks to children and other members of the community. Children, unaware of the dangers, frequently play near these areas. The issue he tackled was the lack of safety mechanisms around these active work zones. The Sensor Gate for Construction Site Safety directly addresses this issue by acting as a first line of defense—alerting nearby individuals and site managers when someone approaches a restricted zone. The goal is to prevent unintentional entry and reduce the risk of accidents, particularly for children.
3. What were some of the key challenges you faced while developing the project, and how did you overcome them?
Developing a sensor-based prototype at the school level can present several challenges, particularly in a rural setup—access to materials, technical guidance, and the scope to experiment and test the components are often limited.
Throughout the BRAINIAC contest, Dinesh received hands-on support from volunteer mentors from the technology industry, class assistants identified from the community, and facilitators who helped him shape his idea into a functional prototype. He was guided in understanding how sensors work, how to structure a problem-solution narrative, and how to present his concept effectively. More importantly, mentors provided emotional encouragement, reinforcing the idea that his lived experience and insight could drive meaningful innovation.
4. How has this experience shaped your interest in technology or problem-solving?
This experience has been transformative for Dinesh—not just in learning about sensors or alarms, but in realizing that his ideas matter. His project didn’t come from a textbook; it came from life. The tragedy that motivated him was deeply personal, and the BRAINIAC contest gave him a space where that experience could be acknowledged and explored.
There is also a realisation that you don’t need advanced labs or city exposure to innovate—but you do need the right platform and encouragement. For students in rural areas, innovation is often limited not by talent, but by lack of exposure and support. When given the opportunity to reflect on their surroundings and express their ideas meaningfully, they rise to the occasion.
“The project made so many aspects of AI and Technology interesting which had not seemed interesting during the classes.”, says Dinesh. This project has helped him see technology as a tool for change, and has likely deepened his interest in solving real-world problems—starting with those closest to home.
5. In what ways did the BRAINIAC challenge support your learning and help you bring your idea to life?
The BRAINIAC challenge gave Dinesh a platform to explore an idea that might otherwise have remained just a thought. It provided a structured environment where he could identify a real-world problem, apply basic technological concepts, and receive mentorship to develop a practical solution. Having access to a platform like BRAINIAC also meant that Dinesh’s innovation could be seen, appreciated, and further encouraged—an important part of nurturing confidence in young learners.
6. How does the BRAINIAC program encourage students to apply AI in meaningful and practical ways?
BRAINIAC is designed to bridge knowledge with relevance. It builds on the foundational learning from our broader BRAIN program, then challenges students to look around their communities, identify issues that matter to them, and think critically about how technology—especially AI—can be used to solve them. We support them through structured guidance, access to mentors, and a platform to showcase their ideas. This helps students see themselves as problem-solvers, not just learners.
7. What role has eVidyaloka played in enabling access to digital learning and innovation opportunities for students ?
eVidyaloka’s role is centered on creating access—to knowledge, mentorship, and opportunity. Through our digital classroom model, students like Dinesh, who attend government schools in rural India, can learn from volunteer teachers and industry professionals, often for the first time. Programs like BRAIN and BRAINIAC take that access a step further, providing structured exposure to future-facing concepts like AI and innovation. By combining digital infrastructure, localized content, and grassroots support, eVidyaloka ensures that students in even the most remote villages are not left out of India’s growing digital story.
