Hyderabad student builds Rs 68,000 satellite receiver for remote villages

Meet Aagam Jain

Losing mobile connectivity during bad weather in the Himalayas is a common problem. And when heavy rain lashes the Himalayas, losing connectivity can mean losing access to crucial weather-related information. For residents of remote mountain villages, where communication networks can become unreliable in bad weather, especially the monsoon, even a basic update can make a difference. Now understanding this issue and hoping to address this gap, Aagam Jain, a Class 12 student from Hyderabad, has developed a satellite-based weather receiver that can download cloud images directly from weather satellites. There’s absolutely no need for an internet connection or mobile network to do so. It’s an intelligent and much-needed solution.

Meet Aagam Jain

Aagam Jain, a Class 12 student from Hyderabad (PC: Telangana Today)

As reported by The Hans India, Aagam is a student of Indus International School who has developed the device, named SummitSathi. It uses available components at an approximate cost of Rs 68,000 per unit. Now the good news is three such receivers are planned for deployment across 10 villages in Himachal Pradesh's Seraj Valley, in Mandi district.

A satellite receiver that does not need the internet

The young boy has created a satellite receiver that doesn’t require the internet like conventional weather applications to display forecasts and updates. SummitSathi can receive cloud images directly from passing weather satellites. This means communities can access satellite imagery even when mobile networks are unavailable or internet services are disrupted. Getting proper internet connectivity in Himalayan regions, mountainous terrain, remote settlements is difficult and it can create problems for residents to access timely information. Heavy rainfall can also disrupt roads and communication networks.

Three receivers to serve 10 villages

A satellite-based weather receiver (AI-Generate)d

The project plans to install three SummitSathi receivers across 10 villages in Seraj Valley and the best part is that the project is not relying only on the technology. Three local operators have already been trained to operate the equipment. Each unit costs approximately Rs 68,000, which is relatively low cost.

Important clarification

However, the team has also clarified an important limitation that it is not a cloudburst prediction system and does not replace official weather forecasts, warnings or emergency alerts. Instead, it provides an additional source of weather-related information through satellite imagery.

A student interested in astronomy and environmental research

SummitSathi is not Aagam's only scientific project. The Class 12 student has also pursued independent research in astronomy and environmental studies. He also spent 24 months recording night-sky brightness at 25 different locations across Hyderabad. The data he collected was compiled to study urban light pollution. Also, he has self-published an astrophotography book titled A Window to the Universe. Meanwhile for a young Aagam, building a device that could help bridge a major weather gap is an achievement.

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