By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 4, 2017: Some 400 bright young engineers and 100 mentors from 57 technical institutes from across India took part in the grand finale of Smart India Hackathon 2017, organized by the Ministry of HRD, Govt of India and held at the C.V. Raman College of Engineering, here.

Addressing at the concluding ceremony of Smart India Hackathon 2017, held on Sunday, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO said “To realize the dream of new India, we need skilled and innovative workforce that can think out-of the–box and find practical solutions to real life-situations. The key to any successful business lies in the increasing purchasing power of consumers, which can only be achieved from gainful employment. With 62% of total population of the country in working group, it is essential to encourage youngsters to dream and develop innovative idea to address country’s economic and social issues and provide solutions for gainful employment”.

Appreciating the college authorities for successfully conducting the Government of India’s 36 hour long nonstop Hackathon – 2017, Dr. Chand said that such innovative programmes will not only boost the Digital India, Start-up India and Make in India campaigns but also provide an excellent platform for the students to participate, innovate and get exposure to governance system directly from their classrooms. Such programs are also synergistic with the vision of India becoming an economic powerhouse, he said.

On the occasion, Dr. Chand handed over the prizes to winners in various categories. It may be mentioned that under the Smart India Hackathon, problems of social importance identified by 29 ministries and departments of the government was organized at 26 locations in the country including the grand finale at C.V. Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneswar. About 7,500 teams involving more than 42,000 students from all across the country participated in Hackathon – 2017 and worked on 598 identified problems. All India Council for Technical Education under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development and in collaboration with i4c, MyGov, Persistent Systems, NASSCOM and Rambhau Mhalgi Pabodini had conducted this unique initiative.

Among others, Sanjib Rout, Chairman of CV Raman College of Engineering, Harkesh Kumar Mittal, Member Secretary of National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, Dr Suman Govil, Advisor Department of Bio Technology were notably present at the concluding ceremony. Earlier, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State (IC) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, had inaugurated the grand finale of Hacakathon 2017 on 1st April.