Surat student wins national innovation challenge with AI groundwater project

A Surat school student, Dheyay Shah, has won the national title at vivo Ignite 2026 for developing JALAAKAR, a machine-learning-based project that estimates groundwater availability using historical borewell records, rainfall and soil data. The innovation generates taluka-level estimates to support informed water management. The competition recognised 10 student projects addressing challenges including water conservation, online security, road safety and assistive technology, attracting over 6,1