Meet Praveen Kumar Gorakavi; Scientist, Chemical Engineer & A Recognised Polymath Who Was Once A Child Prodigy!

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Starting off as a child prodigy, Praveen Kumar Gorakavi is somewhat of a real-life Bruce Banner - he is a scientist, a chemical engineer, a consultant, an inventor, was recognized as a polymath, and also a former child prodigy! Today we will explore some of the achievements and honors that the great man has received throughout his journey to date.

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The Early Life Of A Genius Child Prodigy

From a low-cost artificial limb to water purification projects, Praveen has covered a lot of ground through his breakthrough research and innovative ideas. At the age of 13, he devised a calendar for 20,000 years (from 10,000 BC to 10,000 AD). He identified 27 mathematical equations that should be used to create an ideal calendar.

He later extended this calendar to 40,000 years and even rendered it in Braille. He created a low-cost artificial leg with knee and ankle movement. He has also created a low-cost mechanical brailler to promote braille literacy throughout the world.

Due to his cool use of intellect and intelligence, he was awarded the Balshree at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by then President of India Lt. APJ Abdul Kalam. Praveen also developed a pen that could produce as many as 256 colors. The same idea could be applied to nail polish, face foundation, and other cosmetics.

Praveen completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Technology with a major in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, and later opted for a Ph.D. Degree in Engineering Program at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, but later on dropped out of the program due to his affiliation with the Phi Factory.

What Is The Phi Factory?

Praveen co-founded the Phi Factory, an initiative that aims to create one social innovation for every three commercial technologies created. It is an R&I initiative with a social conscience. The Phi Factory is best known for inventing G-FP, which makes paper lighter by 21%. G-FP is a chemical additive technology for the paper. The Phi Factory, too, has a bright future. We say this because it is now developing bioplastic materials.

An Extraordinary Man With His Extraordinary Inventions!

How clumsy and frustrating is the need to iron your clothes every time you have to go somewhere, isn’t it? Well, our genius inventor pretty much solved the problem to a huge extent by creating a wrinkle-free composite suit fabric that is efficiently useful for apparel.

He was also involved in the development of fragrance encapsulation technology for sanitary pads, baby diapers, and detergent powder. He even created a holographic ink that simplifies packaging material separation and increases productivity by more than 2.5 times.

Then there's the canned 'dosa' premix formulation. Among the other technologies, there is also a water purification device, an orthopedic catheter for spinal restoration, and a liquid jetting mechanism for an electric toothbrush.

Also read: Simi Karan, the 22-year old who pulled the seemingly impossible by clearing IIT and UPSC consecutively! 

Praveen’s Awards And Achievements

Along with the Bal Shree award- the most prestigious award for children in India with creative abilities, Praveen also received the Appreciation Award at Design, which was issued by the Ministry of Social Justice.

Praveen has received the recognition as an Outstanding Engineer/scientist for the state of Andhra Pradesh for 2009-10, which was issued by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in Oct 2011.

Later, Praveen was awarded the Best Scientist award for developing Industrially viable technology by the AP Chamber of Commerce, FAPCCI, at FAPCCI Bhawan, Hyderabad. He has also been awarded the Best Technologist for Disabled Empowerment by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in Jan 2005.

In January 2005, Praveen also received the Appreciation Award for Scientific Research. Praveen was also awarded the Uugadi Gaurav Puraskar by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in Apr 2004- the highest civilian award from the Ministry of Education, which Praveen received for his scientific and technological knowledge.

Praveen was included in the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list for 2019, in the healthcare and science category.

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