Mangaluru, December 14, 2024: The Grand Finale of the Smart India Hackathon (Software Edition) 2024 culminated in a vibrant valedictory ceremony at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Mangaluru, on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education-AICTE, Government of India, marked a significant milestone in fostering innovation and problem-solving among India’s young talent.
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from Principal S. S. Injaganeri, who underscored the importance of the hackathon and commended the efforts of all participants, mentors, and organizers. A detailed report on the two-day event was presented by Sahyadri Nodal Centre in-charge, Duddela Prashanth, highlighting the dynamic exchanges, creative solutions, and collaborative spirit that defined the hackathon. Participants and mentors shared their reflections, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage in meaningful problem-solving at Sahyadri.
The keynote address by Chief Guest B. Sudhakar Kotary, General Manager of Canara Bank’s Mangalore Circle, focused on the pressing need for cyber security awareness in safeguarding individual bank account holders. He urged the audience to prioritize solutions that address these challenges.
Kottaram V. Ramesh, Founder Director and Chief Vision Officer of SkillsDA, Chennai, inspired attendees by emphasizing the role of creativity and resilience in shaping India’s future. He remarked that "logical thinking, not just certifications or degrees, empowers youth as the strongest force in the world."
Deputy Director General of NIC, Prakash Kumar Mittal, commended Sahyadri’s ethos, likening it to the benevolent nature of mountains. He praised the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting impactful initiatives.
Director of Research and Development, Manjappa Sarathi, reflected on the overarching impact of the hackathon in his presidential remarks, expressing gratitude to the Ministry and AICTE for enabling students to craft groundbreaking solutions.
The evening also honored jury members for their invaluable contributions, with mementos presented as tokens of appreciation. Vice-Principal Sudheer Shetty then announced the winners, who were awarded cash prizes of ₹1 lakh each for their exemplary solutions. The winning teams included Data Defenders Nexus from Shri Krishna College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu; Smart Indian Hackers from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Uttar Pradesh; Innovisionersz and Vanguards Elevate from Kongu Engineering College, Tamil Nadu; and DODS from Dwarakdas J Sanghvi College of Engineering, Maharashtra.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Prashanth Rao, Head of Basic Science, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to all participants, mentors, jury members, and organizers for their collective efforts in making the event a grand success. The Smart India Hackathon 2024 at Sahyadri stood as a testament to the innovative spirit and collaborative energy of India’s youth, setting the stage for future breakthroughs.