N. Raghuraman's column: Great ideas need an open mind, not millions of dollars of labs.

In 2017, when the world was struggling with the problem of single-use plastic and restaurants were looking for alternatives to its absurdity, Professor Saji Varghese was taking a walk as usual in the lush green campus of Christ University, Bengaluru. His eyes fell on a dry coconut leaf lying on the grass. In India, these leaves are found everywhere and are usually burnt thinking they are agricultural waste. Picking up a leaf and moving it between his fingers, he felt something strange. Its surface was smooth and shiny. Despite breaking from the tree, it was neither rotten nor damp. He pondered 'why does the dry leaf stop the water?' Out of curiosity, he took some leaves to the lab. He came to know that nature had already done engineering. The leaf was coated with natural and food-safe epicaticular wax. When it was rolled tightly like a tube, the layer of wax naturally kept the liquid away. Professor Saji understood that he did not have garden-waste in his hand, but a blueprint for a great biodegradable straw. He felt that it was better than paper and plastic. To make this idea a reality, Professor Saji worked with his students and eventually created the 'Brown Reed Agri Waste Innovations' company, which launched 'Sunbird Straws'. He made a multi-layered straw, which removed many flaws of the existing options. Naturally, plastic straws take more than 500 years to finish. It is very durable, but it is also poisonous due to being a petroleum component. At the same time, live trees have to be cut for paper straws. Despite the use of synthetic glue and bleach, it gets wet in 20 minutes. In contrast, the coconut tree straw is made from 100% fallen leaves and is chemical-free. It lasts for 3-4 hours in hot and cold drinks. The beauty of this innovation lies in its raw materials. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is ingrained in the fabric of India. There are more than 2 million hectares of coconut plantations in the coastal areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa. One tree sheds 12 to 15 leaves every year. Instead of burning these leaves — which releases carbon into the environment — Sunbird Straws converts this agricultural by-product into a valuable product. This teaches students the following. Look at the simple things: coconut leaves have been falling for thousands of years, but it took a connoisseur eye to see them as products. Instead of what is not in the world, look at what has been ignored. Ask questions like 'why' and 'what if': Ask questions if you see an everyday problem like a wet paper straw or a natural phenomenon like a water-repellent leaf. Curiosity is the bridge between the problem and the patent. Make a prototype from what it is: Prof. Saji did not wait for big funding to get started. He started rolling the leaves by hand in the campus room. Try your ideas in a simple way and quickly. Find ways to go corporate from campus: When the students working on the project saw that businesses were troubled by paper straws, while the law banned plastic straws, they came out with a better product at the time when it was needed the most. Take advantage of ecosystem support: The team did not do this alone. They resorted to the 'Impact Orbit Program' of IIM Bangalore's NSRCEL incubator for business mentorship, legal frameworks and investor networks. Academics usually do not have this. Today, they are exporting to 10 countries. The idea is that by empowering rural women to create their sustainable and social impact products, one can attract global buyers.