Telugu NRI girl wins prestigious award for air quality solution in UAE

A Telugu NRI student in UAE bagged the prestigious Shaikh Zayed Sustainability Award for developing an innovative solution, CarbonSponge, to improve air quality in classrooms. 15-year-old Monica Akkineni, native of Eluru in Andhra Pradesh and student in Abu Dhabi, was recognised for her groundbreaking project to improve air quality and



reduce CO2 emissions in classrooms using biodegradable carbon sponge made from coconut fibre and natural rubber infused with carbon-absorbing algae.

UAE President and Ruler of Abhu Dhabi, Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed and several royals and high-level officials attended the ceremony and presented the awards to winners.