KCG College of Technology hosted the seventh edition of Smart India Hackathon 2024 (SIH 2024) on 11 and 12 December 2024.
The event was hosted along with 50 other nodal centres across the nation by KCG College of Technology which is a part of Hindustan Group of Institutions.
This 36-hour hackathon brought together 120 of India’s brightest young innovators whose technical expertise and creativity were on full display as they addressed real-world challenges.
Organizers
SIH 2024 was organized by All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education of Government of India, Institute Innovation Council (IIC) of Ministry of Education.
Inauguration (national level)
The inauguration of SIH 2024 at the national level took place in the presence of Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
Union Education Minister emphasized that hackathon is a fine platform for nurturing the nation’s future. He further spoke on the youth of India.
Their role is crucial when it comes to nation’s transformation into a knowledge economy and global growth engine, said Union Minister.
Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the participants on the first of the contest. He praised the extraordinary talent of Indian youth.
Solutions generated through hackathon have been immensely useful for the nation.
He expressed confidence that the ideas developed in the hackathon would contribute significantly to strengthening India’s leadership in technology and innovation.
Participation
The event witnessed 120 students from 20 teams across India participate at the nodal centre KCG College of Technology for the grand finale.
Theme
Theme provided to KCG College of Technology was ‘Revolutionising India’s Postal Infrastructure through Technological Innovation’, a problem statement issued by the Ministry of Communications’ Department of Posts to modernise one of India’s oldest institutions.
Inauguration at KCG College of Technology
The inaugural ceremony held at the nodal centre of KCG College of Technology was
held in a grand manner and Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Director General of Police and Member of the Fifth Police Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu was the chief guest.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan speaking at the inauguration at KCG College of Technology said technology isn’t just about gadgets—it’s about making life better, building trust, and creating solutions that change lives.
Addressing the participants ,he said ‘Your creativity, drive, and passion have the potential to shape not just industries, but the entire country.”
He also highlighted the role of the Smart India Hackathon in bridging the gap between education and industry, empowering young minds to tackle real-world challenges.
Celebration
Dr. Annie Jacob, Director of KCG College of Technology, expressed pride in the participation of 120 bright minds from across India.
She said Smart India Hackathon is not just a competition; it is a celebration of innovation.
Dr. M. Muthukannan, Principal of KCG College of Technology welcomed the gathering.
Dignitaries present during the inauguration were K A Devaraj, Director, Postal Service (HO), TN Circle, Ankur Tiwari, Deputy General Manager, Parcel Directorate, M Pattabhiraman, Deputy Manager, CERT, Mohandoss K, Deputy Manager, CEPT, Samrat Shinde, Principal Engineering Manager, Persistent Systems Ltd, Anand Sivaraj, Manager (IP & Technology Transfer), AICTE Innovation Centre, Chennai.
Contest
The event witnessed a rigorous two-round mentor discussion and three-round evaluation process, say sources from KCG College of Technology.
Following each discussion, participants refined their codes and presented updated work for evaluation, showcasing their adaptability and dedication to innovation.
The event also featured an engaging cultural programme, organised by the college’s music and dance clubs, which included songs in different languages , Tamil Nadu’s traditional folk dances like Karakattam and Silambattam, alongside contemporary Western performances, adding a fun dimension to the intense innovation marathon.
Valedictory
Valedictory ceremony for the event was held on the second day. Chief guest for it was Mr. Kuhan Madhan, Associate Vice President, Guidance Tamil Nadu.
He is also a notable alumnus of KCG College of Technology from EEE of 2005-2009 batch.
Mr. Madhan’s return to his alma mater for this prestigious event symbolised the enduring connection between the institution and its graduates, showcasing the impact of KCG College of Technology in shaping successful professionals.
Dr Annie Jacob speaking at the valedictory highlighted the transformative potential of technology in reshaping India’s future.
She said that through the theme ‘Revolutionising India’s Postal Infrastructure through Technological Innovation,’ we’ve witnessed how technology can transform even the most time-honoured institutions, paving the way for a modern, future-ready India.
Winners
Winners for four problem statements were announced during the valedictory.
For the problem statement ‘Measurement and Monitoring of Counter Services’, the first prize was awarded to the team HexTech1 from Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, for developing a user-friendly AI-powered application to monitor and enhance counter services across India Post, ensuring a seamless customer experience.
For the problem statement ‘Road Transport Network Telematics’, the first prize was awarded to the team Abhyuday from Bansilal Ramnath Agarwal Charitable Trusts Vishwakarama Institute of Technology, Pune , Maharashtra for creating a telematics solution that enables route optimisation, live tracking, and optimal capacity utilisation for long-haul trucking operations across India.
For the problem statement ‘A Digital BRSR Platform for India Post Network’, the first prize was awarded to the team Mini Juris 2.0 from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, for developing a digital platform to implement the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, positioning India Post as a leader in environmental and social sustainability.
For the problem statement ‘Bridging the Measurability Gap’, the first prize was awarded to the team Bhoomik from Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Ghaziabad , Uttar Pradesh for designing a digital solution to ensure adherence to validated Citizens Charter norms across all public interfaces of India Post, enhancing service quality and accountability.
Each winning team was awarded a cash prize of one lakh rupees for their innovative contributions, say sources from KCG College of Technology.
Inception
Since its inception in 2017, the Smart India Hackathon has grown exponentially.
SIH 2024 marked the largest edition to date, with over 250 problem statements submitted by 54 Ministries, Departments, State Governments, PSUs, and industries. This year, over 86,000 student teams participated at the institute level, with 49,000 advancing to the national stage.
Creativity
KCG College of Technology’s campus buzzed with creativity and collaboration, with students working tirelessly to develop impactful solutions. The event fostered meaningful interactions between students, educators, and government officials, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
KCG College’s focus on postal innovation aligned with the Ministry of Communications’ vision for technological advancement and was widely praised for its practical, impactful solutions.
Beacon
Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman of Hindustan Group of Institutions, remarked the Smart India Hackathon 2024 at our institution stands tall as a beacon of innovation, inspiring students to turn their ideas into transformative solutions for the nation.
‘This event reaffirms our commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial and technological talent, solidifying our position as a global innovation hub.’
Also Read – KCG College of Technology to host great contest from 10 to 12 December 2024