Dr. Udipi Shrinivasa discovered that non-edible oils from plants like Honge trees can be used as biodiesel to power diesel engines. He extracted oil from Honge seeds and found that it ran well in an engine. This led him to realize the potential for rural communities in India to become self-sufficient through local biodiesel production. He launched a pilot program in Kagganahalli village where Honge oil was used to power water pumps, eliminating the need for diesel fuel. The program was a success and proved that biodiesel from non-edible oils can provide economic and environmental benefits to rural areas while reducing dependence on imported fuels.