Odisha map made from scrap finds place in India Book of Records
Bhubaneswar: Government Polytechnic, Bhubaneswar has earned national recognition by creating the largest outline map of Odisha, earning a place in the India Book of Records. This map, created by an educational institution, demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and technical excellence.
This record-breaking project was completed under the leadership of Rajat Kumar Panigrahi, Principal of Government Polytechnic, Bhubaneswar. He is a veteran with over 30 years of experience in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Known as the “Scrap Man of Odisha,” Panigrahi is known for his work upcycling waste materials into artistic and functional creations that promote environmental responsibility.
A team of 15 students completed this project under his guidance.
The 35-foot-high and 15-foot-wide outline map was created using scrap galvanized iron sheets, iron rods, artificial grass, and energy-efficient LED strips.
The use of LED lighting is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy.
Developed as part of the Waste-to-Wealth/Scrap-to-Art initiative and aligned with the national cleanliness campaign “Swachhata Hi Seva,” this installation was made entirely from discarded and discarded metal materials. Beyond its scale and visual impact, the artwork showcases Odisha’s cultural heritage, unity, and progressive thinking, while emphasizing responsible resource use.
The initiative also served as an experiential learning platform for students, who gained hands-on experience in cutting, welding, grinding, drilling, shaping, and surface finishing.
