In a world increasingly being shaped by science, technology and innovation, young school students are becoming the architects of the future. This has been proved to the hilt by eight students of a government school who have successfully converted a normal bicycle into an electric cycle.These youngsters, studying in the School of Eminence, Lamini, in Pathankot district, were guided by the school’s vocational teacher Lalit Mohan. Incidentally, the students belong to the lower strata of society. Their parents work hard not only to make both ends meet but also to ensure their wards make it big.The Udyam Learning Foundation, a nonprofit organisation enabling youngsters to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, has helped them accomplish the task. The foundation is working in collaboration with the Punjab Government to tap talent in government schools.Mekin Maheshwari, CEO and founder of the foundation, said, “The idea is to help students look at the world around them differently, identify real problems as they see in their homes, schools and communities and build practical solutions rooted in their practical experiences.”The team leader, Arjun Chaudhary, is the son of a labourer. The others are Akshit Chaudhary, Kanav, Narinder Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Rajan, Vijay and Gaurav. All these young entrepreneurs are Class XII students. Positioned at the centre of research, they have shown that they have the potential to shape the future in their adopted field. Several cycle manufacturers have already contacted the team.Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains have patted them on the back for their entrepreneurial spirit. So much so, Minister Bains rode one of their electric cycles in the campus of IIT, Ropar, and praised it.The team has already bagged 57 orders. They make a profit of roughly Rs 4,000 from one e-bike, as these cycles are called. The team hopes to reap in huge monetary benefits when cycle manufacturing companies decide to produce these electric cycles on a large scale. The students are also in touch with start-ups to ensure their innovation is picked up by them.The students are in touch with IIT Ropar through online sessions to see if improvements can be made in their innovation.E-bikes are pedal-assisted bicycles that combine the force of humans with that of an electric motor. They are perfect for urban mobility, thus offering an alternative to traditional two and four-wheeled vehicles. With these bikes, it is possible to take on more difficult terrains, even including steep climbs, with less effort.The prototype emerged among the top 10 models at the Business Blasters Punjab Programme held at IIT, Ropar, where the team also secured funding of Rs 4 lakh.