This year’s James Dyson India award is won by Komal Panda, a student National Institute of Design (NID)-Haryana. Her invention – Novocarry, a portable cooling carrier designed to keep insulin and temperature-sensitive medications at optimal temperatures — was inspired by her father, a diabetic steelworker.
“He had to rush home during his lunch breaks to take his insulin because there wasn’t a safe way to store it at work,” she explained. “The ice packs would melt quickly, and he could not risk carrying visible medical devices because of theft concerns.” This personal struggle motivated the Odisha girl to innovate something that could improve not just her father’s life but the lives of millions of others.
In a project titled “Technically Complex Product” at NID, Komal began developing Novocarry. Despite the challenges – like competing with makeshift solutions like water bottles filled with ice or thermoses – she was determined to create something better.
However, her journey was not easy. In 2021, just days before her final entrance exam for NID, Komal lost her mother to cancer and Covid-19. The same year her father’s health also began to deteriorate. Suddenly, she found herself as the primary caretaker for her younger sister, navigating a life without the constant presence of her mother’s guidance. “I was lost and overwhelmed,” she shared. “But those difficult days shaped me into who I am today.”
Amidst the loss and uncertainty, Komal turned to design for solace, channeling her grief into creative expression. Exposed to Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and architecture from a young age, she began to see how deeply her roots influenced her work at NID. “Design, for me, became a way to process my experiences. It helped me connect more with the world around me and made me more empathetic in my approach,” she said.
It was in this environment of exploration and learning that she stumbled upon the James Dyson Award, an international competition recognising innovation and problem-solving. Komal was fascinated by the sleek design of Dyson’s products — particularly the hair dryer. “I didn’t know how it worked, but I knew I wanted one,” she said jokingly. Inspired by Dyson’s design philosophy, she set her sights on applying for the award.
“Personally, it is validation of the hard work and sleepless nights. Professionally, it has opened doors for collaboration and further innovation,” she shares.
But perhaps the most touching moment came shortly after the award announcement when a father of a young child with Type 1 diabetes reached out to her on Instagram, asking if he could buy Novocarry. “That message reminded me why I’m doing this,” she said. “It’s not about the award; it’s about the people who need this product.”
Looking ahead, Komal plans to scale Novocarry for mass production and expand its application beyond insulin to include other temperature-sensitive medications. “The possibilities are endless,” she said, “and my goal is to make sure that everyone who needs this kind of product can access it.”
After graduation, she aims to foster a culture where designers are seen as key contributors to the development process, collaborating closely with engineers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders. Her goal is to integrate empathy with technical expertise to solve complex challenges.
As a female designer working in healthcare innovation — a field often seen as male-dominated – Komal sees herself as part of a broader movement toward greater diversity in design. “It is not just about representation. It is about bringing different perspectives to the table. I stand on the shoulders of the female designers before me, and it is my responsibility to continue their legacy.”
Her advice to other students pursuing design, especially in healthcare innovation, is rooted in empathy and persistence. “Focus on improving the everyday experience of your users,” she encourages. “There’s no such thing as a small design change when it’s about making someone’s life better.”