A pioneering project for smart, automated ration distribution, developed by dedicated faculty members of Excel Public School in Mysuru, has secured the top honor at the recent ‘My Mysuru Ideathon: Ideas for Future’. This innovative system aims to significantly transform the existing Public Distribution System (PDS) for the better.
Mahesh M.B. and Sudhakar L., the brilliant minds from Excel Public School, conceived the project, aptly named ‘Ahara Dhaara’ (Flow of Food), within the ‘Smart Infrastructure and Mobility’ category of the Ideathon.
According to a press statement, ‘Ahara Dhaara’ introduces a fully automated kiosk designed to dispense rations. It leverages a combination of RFID cards, biometric verification, and OTP-based access, ensuring a secure and efficient 24/7 collection process. This innovative approach is expected to curb corruption, enhance accessibility, and restore a sense of dignity to beneficiaries of the ration system.
The Ideathon itself, a core component of the ‘My Mysuru Vision 2030’ initiative spearheaded by Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, was created to gather citizen-led solutions for fostering a smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive Mysuru. The 2025 edition saw an impressive turnout of over 2,500 entries, with 340 projects making it to the shortlist. The Grand Finale, held on September 20, 2025, featured the top 10 teams presenting their ideas to a distinguished jury.
The ‘Ahara Dhaara’ project was recognized with a trophy and a cash prize of ₹25,000, lauded as a “transformative and high-impact innovation with the potential to streamline essential public services.” Mr. Yaduveer emphasized that the concept perfectly aligns with Vision 2030’s commitment to inclusivity and technology-driven governance, highlighting its crucial role in shaping Mysuru’s future civic development.
Expressing his delight, Mr. Mahesh remarked that winning the Ideathon was “an incredibly rewarding experience, not just as recognition, but as validation that technology can truly simplify lives when it is built with empathy.” Mr. Sudhakar added, “Ahara Dhaara emerged from the everyday challenges we observed around us, and this victory inspires us to advance it from a concept to a practical model that can instill pride and dignity in how citizens access essential services.”
Significantly, the organizers have shown keen interest in backing a pilot implementation of ‘Ahara Dhaara.’ This move is consistent with Vision 2030’s broader objective of integrating community-driven ideas into tangible city projects, paving the way for a more efficient future.
Mathew K.G., the principal of Excel Public School, noted that the project is a testament to the culture of innovation fostered at their institution. Sudhanva D., chairman and managing director of Excel Group, also extended his appreciation to the faculty for their creative and impactful contribution.