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Smart India Hackathon 2024 grand finale held at KCG College of Technology, Chennai

Posted On: 13 DEC 2024 4:30PM by PIB Chennai

The seventh edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024 – Software Edition was held at KCG College of Technology, Chennai along with other 50 nodal centres across the country during December 11 and 12. This 36-hour hackathon brought together 120 of India’s brightest young innovators whose technical expertise and creativity were on full display as they addressed real-world challenges.

The national-level inauguration of SIH 2024 was graced by Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, who emphasised the hackathon’s significance as a platform for nurturing the nation’s future. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for conceptualising SIH, Pradhan highlighted India’s youth as the driving force behind the nation’s transformation into a knowledge economy and global growth engine.

On the first day of the event, Prime Minister Modi, addressing the participants via video conferencing, celebrated the extraordinary talent of India’s youth, affirming that the solutions generated through the hackathon have proven immensely beneficial to the nation. He expressed confidence that the ideas developed in the hackathon would contribute significantly to strengthening India’s leadership in technology and innovation.

The event, organised by AICTE, the Ministry of Education, and the Institute Innovation Council (IIC), saw 120 students from 20 teams across India participate at the nodal centre KCG College of Technology for the grand finale. The theme provided to KCG College of Technology was ‘Revolutionising India’s Postal Infrastructure through Technological Innovation’, a problem statement issued by the Ministry of Communications' Department of Posts to modernise one of India’s oldest institutions.

The inaugural ceremony held at the nodal centre of KCG College of Technology was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, IPS (Retd.), Former Director General of Police and Member of the Fifth Police Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Annie Jacob, Director of KCG College of Technology, Dr. M. Muthukannan, Principal of KCG College of Technology, Shri K A Devaraj, Director, Postal Service (HO), TN Circle, Ankur Tiwari, Deputy General Manager, Parcel Directorate, Shri M Pattabhiraman, Deputy Manager, CERT, Shri Mohandoss K, Deputy Manager, CEPT, Shri Samrat Shinde, Principal Engineering Manager, Persistent Systems Ltd, and Shri Anand Sivaraj, Manager (IP & Technology Transfer), AICTE Innovation Centre, Chennai.

In his inaugural address, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan remarked, “Technology isn’t just about gadgets—it’s about making life better, building trust, and creating solutions that change lives.”  Addressing the participants, he added, “Your creativity, drive, and passion have the potential to shape not just industries, but the entire country.” He also highlighted the role of the Smart India Hackathon in bridging the gap between education and industry, empowering young minds to tackle real-world challenges.

Dr. Annie Jacob, Director of KCG College of Technology, expressed pride in the participation of 120 bright minds from across India. She stated, “Smart India Hackathon is not just a competition; it is a celebration of innovation. Dr. M. Muthukannan, Principal of the institution welcomed the gathering.

The event witnessed a rigorous two-round mentor discussion and three-round evaluation process. Following each discussion, participants refined their codes and presented updated work for evaluation, showcasing their adaptability and dedication to innovation.

The event also featured an engaging cultural programme, organised by the college’s music and dance clubs, which included songs in different languages, Tamil Nadu’s traditional folk dances like Karakattam and Silambattam, alongside contemporary Western performances, adding a fun dimension to the intense innovation marathon.

On the second day of the event, the valedictory function was graced by the chief guest, Mr. Kuhan Madhan, Associate Vice President, Guidance Tamil Nadu, a notable alumnus of KCG College of Technology from the 2005-2009 EEE batch. Mr. Madhan’s return to his alma mater for this prestigious event symbolised the enduring connection between the institution and its graduates, showcasing the impact of KCG College of Technology in shaping successful professionals. He was joined by Dr. Annie Jacob, Director of KCG College of Technology, Mr. Enid Verghese Jacob, Deputy Director, Hindustan Group of Institutions, Dr. M. Vignesh Kumar, SPOC of SIH from KCG College of Technology, Dr. G. Prabhakaran, Dean - Academics, KCG College of Technology, Mr. Samrat Shinde, Principal Engineering Manager, Persistent Systems Ltd, and Mr. Anand Sivaraj, Manager (IP & Technology Transfer), AICTE Innovation Centre, Chennai.

In her valedictory address, Dr. Annie Jacob once again highlighted the transformative potential of technology in reshaping India's future. She stated, “Through the theme ‘Revolutionising India’s Postal Infrastructure through Technological Innovation,’ we’ve witnessed how technology can transform even the most time-honoured institutions, paving the way for a modern, future-ready India.”

The valedictory ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners for the four problem statements. For the problem statement ‘Measurement and Monitoring of Counter Services’, the first prize was awarded to the team HexTech1 from Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, for developing a user-friendly AI-powered application to monitor and enhance counter services across India Post, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

For the problem statement ‘Road Transport Network Telematics’, the first prize was awarded to the team Abhyuday from Bansilal Ramnath Agarwal Charitable Trusts Vishwakarama Institute of Technology, Pune, Maharashtra for creating a telematics solution that enables route optimisation, live tracking, and optimal capacity utilisation for long-haul trucking operations across India.

 For the problem statement ‘A Digital BRSR Platform for India Post Network’, the first prize was awarded to the team Mini Juris 2.0 from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, for developing a digital platform to implement the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, positioning India Post as a leader in environmental and social sustainability.

For the problem statement ‘Bridging the Measurability Gap’, the first prize was awarded to the team Bhoomik from Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh for designing a digital solution to ensure adherence to validated Citizens Charter norms across all public interfaces of India Post, enhancing service quality and accountability. Each winning team was awarded a cash prize of one lakh rupees for their innovative contributions.

Since its inception in 2017, the Smart India Hackathon has grown exponentially. SIH 2024 marked the largest edition to date, with over 250 problem statements submitted by 54 Ministries, Departments, State Governments, PSUs, and industries. This year, over 86,000 student teams participated at the institute level, with 49,000 advancing to the national stage.

KCG College of Technology’s campus buzzed with creativity and collaboration, with students working tirelessly to develop impactful solutions. The event fostered meaningful interactions between students, educators, and government officials, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

KCG College’s focus on postal innovation aligned with the Ministry of Communications’ vision for technological advancement and was widely praised for its practical, impactful solutions.

 In a statement following the event, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman of Hindustan Group of Institutions, remarked, “The Smart India Hackathon 2024 at our institution stands tall as a beacon of innovation, inspiring students to turn their ideas into transformative solutions for the nation. This event reaffirms our commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial and technological talent, solidifying our position as a global innovation hub.”

The success of the event is a testament to the power of youth-driven innovation in shaping India’s technological future and empowering the next generation of problem-solvers to lead the country into the 21st century.

 

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