PM Narendra Modi tweets OneIndia report; girls keen to meet him

Bengaluru, July 3: Barely four days after OneIndia's indepth report on five girl students from Bengaluru turning world-beaters at the Technovation Challenge 2015 held at San Francisco went viral, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi too have now acknowledged their fete.

The mobile app aimed at selling and buying dry waste, was chosen as the best from 400 teams spread across 64 nations.

As reported by OneIndia earlier, the girls -- all ninth standard students of New Horizon Public School (NHPS) - have now bagged a seed funding of $10,000 to take their mobile App Sellixo from prototype stage to further development.

The girls drew inspiration from PM Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission while making the App. The NHPS team comprised of Sanjana Vasanth, Anupama N, Mahima Mehendale, Swasthi P Rao and Navyashree B.

In a tweet that was posted on @narendramodi on July 2 at 7:16 pm, the Prime Minister complimented the girls for their marvelous efforts.

"Congrats to these youngsters. Kudos to their innovative zeal & proud of their efforts to create a Clean India," said the tweet by the PM.

Within hours of the PM's tweet it has been retweeted and favourited by thousands.

Soon after the PM's tweet, BJP's IT Cell too tweeted the report thereby making it virtually viral. Interestingly, both tweets have links to the OneIndia report that was published on June 29.

Mission Delhi next on their agenda

Speaking to OneIndia, an elated Chairman of New Horizon Educational Institutions (NHEI) Dr Mohan Manghnani said on Friday that the girls have virtually become role models for thousands of students across India.

"We have been getting congratulatory messages from across the globe. All national media covered the report, but the OneIndia report has been picked up by many online channels. Ever since Modiji tweeted OneIndia report, our phones have been ringing non-stop. Seeing your report, we even got a call from a professor in UK," says Dr Mohan.

The school is said to me making the ground work for getting an audience with the PM at his convenience.
"The students want to meet Modiji and take his blessings. They want to show him the mobile application. The girls want to take more ideas from the Prime Minister and see whether it can be digitally-delivered for the benefit of people. We have extended all help to them," adds Dr Mohan.

The school is formally sending a request to the Prime Minister's Office for an appointment. The girls are also hoping to meet former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam during their dream visit to Delhi soon.

Reacting to PM tweeting OneIndia report, Bengaluru-based communication professional Reshma Balakrishna said on a social media post: "The power of positive Journalism. Kudos to OneIndia and the writer. Very proud of you all."

(The writer is a seasoned aerospace and defence journalist in India. He is the Consultant Editor (Defence) with OneIndia. He tweets @writetake.)

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