SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with young innovators during the Grand Finale of the 7th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, including the team at NIT Srinagar, via video conferencing.
For the first time, NIT Srinagar hosted the Grand Finale, which began on Wednesday as one of 51 centres across the country.
During the event, the SIH team from BMS Institute of Technology, Bangalore, led by Syeeda Aiemen D Saleem, presented their project ideas to the Prime Minister. PM Modi also interacted with Mohammad Ali Mohammad Al, a participant from Yemen, and commended India’s cultural diversity.
The nationwide hackathon saw participation from over 1,300 student teams. Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated SIH 2024 virtually, underscoring the role of education in driving innovation and contributing to an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
ProfMBinod Kumar Kanojiya, Director of NIT Srinagar and Chief Guest, reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to fostering innovation and excellence. He highlighted the importance of SIH in bridging the gap between academics and real-world problem-solving, stating, “The institute is committed to nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and preparing students for a technology-driven future.”
Prof G A Harmain, Chairman of the Core Committee for SIH 2024, noted that it was the first time NIT Srinagar hosted the SIH Software Edition Grand Finale. He welcomed 25 teams from 21 states, stressing their potential to contribute to India’s technological and creative growth.
Pratap Sanap, Nodal Head 1 for SIH, provided an overview of the hackathon, highlighting its role in fostering innovation and collaboration.
The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Prof Atikur Rahman, Registrar of NIT Srinagar. He praised the organising team, led by Prof. Kanojiya, for successfully hosting the event, stating, “As one of the 51 nodal centres, NIT Srinagar has become a hub for innovation, hosting 25 teams to develop real-world solutions.”
