Karkala: A student from a rural government school in Karkala taluk has earned international recognition with an innovative project, marking the second time the institution has reached the global stage through student achievements.

Aditya, a student of the high school section at Government Pre-University College, Kukkuje, has secured a place among the top 60 innovations in the country with his project titled ‘Cut It Easy’. The achievement has earned him selection for an international-level competition in Japan.

The innovation was developed under the guidance of Suresh Marakala, a national award-winning social science teacher known for mentoring students and encouraging them to develop practical solutions through scientific thinking.

Aditya’s project cleared multiple stages of the INSPIRE Awards–MANAK competition before reaching the national level. Its selection for the international stage has brought fresh recognition to the rural institution and highlighted the potential of government school students to compete at national and international levels.

‘Cut It Easy’ advances through national competition

Aditya’s innovation, ‘Cut It Easy’, progressed through the various stages of the INSPIRE Awards–MANAK programme, which encourages school students to develop original ideas and innovative solutions.

The project secured a place among the top 60 innovations at the national-level competition scheduled to be held in Delhi. It subsequently qualified for the international stage in Japan, marking a significant milestone for the student and his school.

The achievement reflects the work involved in developing an innovative idea and presenting it successfully through a competitive selection process. Reaching the national level and subsequently qualifying for an international competition places Aditya among a select group of young innovators from across the country.

The details of the project’s technical design and the specific problem it seeks to address were not available in the information provided. However, its selection through the INSPIRE Awards–MANAK process has brought attention to the student’s efforts and the guidance he received during its development.

Kukkuje school achieves international recognition for second time

The latest achievement is particularly significant for Government High School, Kukkuje, which has reportedly become the first school in the country to secure international-level recognition twice through the initiative.

The school had earlier received attention when its students Amulya Hegde and Nikhita achieved national-level success through the INSPIRE Awards–MANAK programme. Their achievements led to their selection for Japan’s Sakura Science High School Programme.

With Aditya now qualifying for an international-level competition in Japan, the institution has added another milestone to its record of encouraging student innovation.

The achievement is also notable because the school is located in a rural area, demonstrating how students from government institutions can develop ideas that attract recognition beyond their immediate surroundings.

The repeated success of students from Kukkuje highlights the importance of providing opportunities for young learners to explore their interests, identify practical problems and develop solutions under the guidance of committed teachers.

Teacher Suresh Marakala’s mentorship makes a difference

Suresh Marakala, a national award-winning social science teacher, has played a key role in guiding the students behind these achievements.

Aditya developed ‘Cut It Easy’ under Marakala’s guidance, continuing a record of student innovation at the institution. The teacher had also mentored Amulya Hegde and Nikhita, whose earlier achievements brought national-level recognition to the school and secured their selection for the Sakura Science High School Programme in Japan.

The fact that all three students received guidance from the same teacher underscores the role of sustained mentorship in helping young people develop and present their ideas.

Identifying students with innovative thinking, encouraging them to pursue their concepts and guiding them through competitive stages require consistent effort. Marakala’s work has helped students from the rural institution access opportunities to demonstrate their abilities on larger platforms.

His continued involvement in nurturing young talent has drawn appreciation, with the latest selection adding to the school’s record of student accomplishments.

Only nine students from Karnataka selected internationally

Aditya’s achievement is particularly noteworthy in the context of the state’s overall performance in this year’s competition.

Of the 120 students from Karnataka who reached the national level, only nine secured selection for the international stage.

Aditya’s qualification places him among this select group and brings recognition to both his school and the wider Karkala region.

The result also highlights the competitive nature of the selection process, through which student ideas advance from initial stages to national and international platforms.

For rural government schools, such achievements can encourage greater participation in innovation programmes and motivate students to explore opportunities beyond the conventional classroom curriculum.

A milestone for rural student innovation

Aditya’s selection for the international competition in Japan represents another important achievement for Government Pre-University College, Kukkuje, and its high school section.

The success of ‘Cut It Easy’, along with the earlier accomplishments of Amulya Hegde and Nikhita, demonstrates the contribution that sustained teacher mentorship and student participation can make to innovation in rural educational institutions.

As Aditya prepares for the international-level competition, his achievement offers encouragement to other students to pursue original ideas and participate in programmes that provide opportunities for wider recognition.

The school’s distinction of reaching the international stage for a second time also reinforces the importance of supporting innovation in government schools and ensuring that promising students receive the guidance needed to develop their potential.