PM Modi interacts with innovators via video conferencing at NIT Srinagar

Grand finale of Smart India Hackathon 2024 begins

Srinagar, Dec 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with young innovators during the 7th edition of Grand Finale of the 7th edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, including the SIH team at NIT Srinagar, via video conferencing mode.

For the first time, NIT Srinagar is hosting the Grand Finale, which commenced on Wednesday as one of 51 centers across the nation.

During the event, the SIH team from BMS Institute of Technology, Bangalore, led by Syeeda Aiemen D Saleem, shared their project ideas with PM Modi. The Prime Minister also interacted with Mohammad Ali Mohammad Al, a participant from Yemen and praised the culture, diversity of India.

Over 1,300 student teams participated in this nationwide event. Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, virtually inaugurated SIH 2024, highlighting the transformative power of education in fostering innovation and building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanojiya was the Chief Guest on the occasion and stressed the institute’s commitment to excellence.

He underscored the importance of SIH in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world problem-solving.

“The institute is dedicated to nurturing a culture of innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and preparing students for a technology-driven future,” Prof. Kanojiya said.

Chairman of Core Committee for SIH 2024, Prof. G.A. Harmain, said that it is the first time NIT Srinagar is hosting the Grand Finale of SIH Software Edition.

He welcomed 25 exceptional teams from 21 states, emphasizing their potential to shape India’s future through technology and creativity.

Pratap Sanap, Nodal Head 1 for SIH, provided an insightful overview of the hackathon, highlighting its role in fostering innovation and collaboration.

A formal vote of thanks was presented by Prof. Atikur Rahman, Registrar NIT Srinagar. He praised the organizing team, led by Director Prof. Kanojiya, for their efforts in making the event a success.

 “As one of the 51 nodal centers, NIT Srinagar has emerged as a hub for innovation, hosting 25 teams to develop real-world solutions. The institute is known for its academic excellence and state-of-the-art facilities,” Prof. Rahman said.

The inaugural ceremony at NIT Srinagar featured a traditional Lamp Lighting and Isbandh Ceremony, symbolizing knowledge and purity, and followed by  welcome by Dr. Janani L., Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering.

Earlier the event began with a welcome address by Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE and Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, emphasized the council’s vision for promoting educational excellence.

This year’s edition of SIH has seen a remarkable 240% increase in internal hackathons, growing from 900 in 2023 to over 2,247 in 2024, making it the largest edition to date. More than 86,000 teams participated at the institute level, with around 49,000 advancing to the national-level rounds.

The hackathon addressed 250 problem statements submitted by 54 ministries, departments, state governments, PSUs, and industries. These challenges spanned 17 sectors of national importance, including healthcare, sustainability, smart technologies, education, disaster management, and agriculture.