SRINAGAR: The twelfth edition of the annual technology festival TechKnow 2025 at Delhi Public School Srinagar concluded today with the unveiling of a humanoid robot developed by students in the school’s ATAL Robotics Lab, marking a high point in the Valley’s growing culture of innovation.
Organised by CyberCrew, the school’s technology club, the two-day festival drew over 330 participants from more than 30 schools across Kashmir. Students engaged in a wide range of hands-on workshops covering artificial intelligence, app development, robotics, web development, programming, video editing, graphic design, game development, and digital marketing. Each workshop blended presentations with live demonstrations, quizzes, and do-it-yourself exercises, ensuring not only conceptual clarity but also a strong sense of applied learning.
The closing ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganaie. The Chief Minister commended the school for creating a truly inclusive platform by inviting participation from government schools as well as private institutions. He reflected on the significance of artificial intelligence in governance, emphasising that ethics must remain central as technology advances.
The highlight of the ceremony was the humanoid robot named Shafat, developed under the mentorship of Shafat Majeed Lone. The robot walked onto the stage to deliver an address, reflecting on human creativity, imagination, and thought as the foundations of innovation in an increasingly machine-driven world. The demonstration drew loud applause and became a talking point among participants and guests alike.
The school principal said the festival was designed not only to foster innovation but also to nurture leadership, teamwork, and confidence among students. “Most importantly, it instils in them the belief that they can imagine an idea and turn it into reality,” she said. The chairman added that private schools should take up the responsibility of extending meaningful support to nearby government institutions to ensure inclusivity and real upliftment in the education sector.
Students and teachers attending TechKnow 2025 spoke highly of the platform’s peer-to-peer model, where many sessions were conducted by students themselves. “The video editing workshop was eye-opening. I got hands-on experience with Premiere Pro for the very first time, and it has inspired me to explore VFX and filmmaking,” said a participant from Shemstar International School, Qazigund.
Teachers echoed similar sentiments. Tahir Javid of MEI Pampore said the festival was an enjoyable and productive way for students to explore technology. A teacher from Radiant Public School, Anantnag, praised the smooth organisation and described the event as a benchmark for teamwork and leadership. From Government Middle School Ferozpora in Bandipora, teacher Qurat ul Ain said the exposure had given her students a deeper interest in innovation and strengthened their drive to learn IT skills.
Over the years, TechKnow has evolved from a school-based activity into one of the Valley’s most recognisable student-led technology events. It now serves as a launchpad for students to showcase talent, collaborate with peers, and get inspired by the possibilities that technology holds. This year’s edition reaffirmed its reputation as more than a festival — a movement towards nurturing the Valley’s future innovators.
