RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the 7th Edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024 in a virtual ceremony, emphasizing India's growing role in addressing global challenges through innovation. Speaking to participants across 51 centers nationwide, Pradhan encouraged young innovators to strive for excellence and contribute towards realizing a $3 trillion economy. He described SIH as a model of a knowledge-driven economy, urging participants to dedicate themselves year-round to solving critical challenges faced by governments, industries, and society.

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, also highlighted the importance of SIH in advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

Amity University Chhattisgarh, one of the 51 nodal centers for the SIH 2024 Grand Finale, hosted the event with enthusiasm and grandeur. Chief Guest T. N. Singh, Deputy Director General and State Informatics Officer, National Informatics Centre, Chhattisgarh, inaugurated the local proceedings. Addressing the audience, Singh emphasized the hackathon’s rapid growth since its inception in 2017, from 7,000 participants with 7,500 ideas to an impressive 54,000 submissions this year. He motivated participants to develop innovative solutions for the pressing challenges presented by government and private sector problem statements.

The event saw participation from 31 teams, comprising 186 students (103 males and 83 females) from 13 states across India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan and other states. The participants, guided by 28 mentors, worked on five significant problem areas: Clean and Green Technology, Smart Education, Disaster Management, Heritage and Culture, and Fitness and Sports. Their innovative solutions were evaluated by 17 esteemed jury members, including experts from academia and industry.

Professor Samir Bajpai, Training and Placement Head at NIT Raipur, motivated the participants with a detailed briefing on the SIH, its structure, and its objectives.

Vice Chancellor of Amity University Chhattisgarh, Professor Piyush Kant Pandey, delivered an inspiring address, calling on participants to propose impactful ideas that address some of humanity's most pressing problems.

At Bilaspur, Vice Chancellor of Guru Ghasidas University (Central University), Professor Alok Kumar Chakrawal, hailed the hackathon as a festival of innovation and encouraged participants to drive positive societal change through technological advancements.

Comparing this seventh edition to the seven rays of the sun spreading across the globe, he stated that the solutions emerging from the hackathon would not only benefit local needs but also address global challenges.

The other centres of SIH are at Durg and Bhilai.