AIS Students Clinch Prestigious UK Award For Transformative Work In Farming & Finance

Two students from Adani International School (AIS), Shantigram, Ahmedabad, have secured the UK’s Gold Crest Award, one of the country’s most respected recognitions for innovation and real-world problem-solving.

Sixteen-year-old Ayan Patel is reshaping agriculture in drought-prone Gujarat, while his schoolmate Devarsh Khatri is advancing financial literacy among young consumers.

In Lanva, North Gujarat, Ayan Patel has developed Krishimitra ‘Farmer’s Friend’, a platform merging artificial intelligence and sustainable agriculture. Its flagship innovation, SaurSinchAI, an AI-enabled, solar-powered Agribot, monitors soil health, optimises irrigation and reduces pesticide use without requiring Wi-Fi or costly infrastructure.

Pilot projects across 15 farms have saved seven million litres of water annually, reduced pesticide costs by 35 per cent and increased crop yields by 30 per cent.

More than 3,300 farmers in five villages now benefit from Krishimitra’s training programmes, which have also launched women-led microenterprises that quadruple household incomes.

Financial Literacy Research Breaks New Ground

While Ayan innovates in the fields, Devarsh Khatri’s award-winning project analyses the relationship between Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) usage and financial literacy.

Drawing on nationwide survey data, his research highlights how low awareness drives impulsive spending and long-term debt, while proposing practical solutions such as consumer education and responsible lending to ensure BNPL strengthens rather than undermines financial security.

The achievements of Ayan and Devarsh stem from Adani International School’s ethos under Promoter Namrata Adani, which combines academic rigour with hands-on innovation.

Through initiatives like the Changemaker Lab and the STEM Innovation Programme, the school encourages students to address pressing social issues and test interdisciplinary solutions in real-world settings.

Ayan plans to scale SaurSinchAI across Gujarat and mentor rural youth in agri-innovation.

Devarsh aims to develop his research into a policy framework to improve financial literacy nationwide. Their journeys demonstrate how education rooted in innovation and empathy can transform not only students but also communities and industries.

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