J&K LG Manoj Sinha kicks off Smart India Hackathon 2024 at Galgotias University

The Smart India Hackathon-2024 (SIH-2024) was officially inaugurated at Galgotias University on December 11, 2024. The esteemed Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, graced the event as the Chief Guest, while Ashok Vajpayee, Rajya Sabha MP, attended as the Special Guest. The event is organized by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and will run from December 11 to December 15, 2024.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the gathering via video conferencing today, December 11, 2024, at 4:30 PM. During his address, he will engage with the young innovators participating in the Grand Finale of the Smart India Hackathon-2024. Over 1,300 student teams are competing in this prestigious finale.

The five-day event will feature 40 teams from approximately nine states, who will tackle seven critical challenges posed by various government bodies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The event provides a platform for students to harness innovation and technology to develop solutions for real-world national challenges.

Smart India Hackathon-2024 (SIH-2024) will be held in multiple editions across India. A total of 51 institutions nationwide have been selected to host the event, with 13 institutions, including Galgotias University, chosen to host the hardware edition.

In his address, Manoj Sinha commended the role of Galgotias University in nation-building. He highlighted the university’s pivotal contributions in fostering a generation of students who excel in knowledge, science, technology, and innovation, while staying grounded in India’s rich cultural heritage.

Sinha expressed confidence that the students of Galgotias University would set new benchmarks in these fields, contributing to national and global progress.

Sinha also emphasized that the Smart India Hackathon is a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, encouraging youth to innovate across critical sectors such as healthcare, supply chain logistics, smart technology, heritage and culture, education and skill development, water resources, agriculture, food, and disaster management.

He further praised Galgotias University’s enthusiasm and commitment to the event, stating, “New India will be built by new youth, and these youth are being nurtured at Galgotias University.”

In conclusion, Sinha extended his gratitude to Chancellor Sunil Galgotia and CEO Dr. Dhruv Galgotia for their excellent arrangements that ensured the event’s success.

In his remarks, Ashok Vajpayee, the special guest, lauded the Smart India Hackathon as a national initiative that bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. He emphasized its role in promoting research, innovation, and critical thinking among the youth, fostering the creative potential of students to address real-world challenges.

Chancellor Sunil Galgotia addressed the participants, noting that the Smart India Hackathon provides a unique platform for unlocking the creativity and innovation inherent in young minds. He emphasized that through such hackathons, students can actively contribute to the nation by finding solutions to pressing challenges.

CEO Dr. Dhruv Galgotia warmly welcomed all participants and dignitaries, reiterating the university’s commitment to realizing the vision of a developed India. He concluded, “We are walking the path of empowering society through education and the nation through society.”

The Smart India Hackathon-2024 serves as a powerful initiative to foster youth empowerment, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities in addressing national challenges, further reinforcing India’s growth trajectory towards a brighter future.