The government is introducing reforms to remove roadblocks from the country’s youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told innovators on Wednesday, asserting that the future of the world will be driven by innovation and knowledge.
Interacting with young innovators during the grand finale of the ‘Smart India Hackathon (SIH)’, the prime minister said that today’s youth are developing a sense of ownership in finding solutions to the country’s challenges.
“India’s strength is its youth and new technology. We have launched the National Education Policy to develop the scientific mind. The government is removing roadblocks from the youth of this country by bringing reforms,” ​​Modi said while addressing more than 1,300 students. groups via video conference.
“The future of the world will be driven by innovation and knowledge and the youth of India today is developing a sense of ownership in finding solutions to the country’s challenges,” he added.
The seventh edition of SIH started simultaneously in 51 nodal centers across the country on Wednesday. The Software Edition will run non-stop for 36 hours, while the Hardware Edition will run from December 11 to 15.
As in previous programs, student groups will work on problem statements given by departments, departments or industries or submit their ideas under the Student Innovation section against any of the 17 themes linked to nationally important sectors.
These sectors are – healthcare, supply chain and logistics, smart technology, heritage and culture, sustainability, education and skills development, water, agriculture and food, emerging technologies, and disaster management.
According to the Ministry of Education, this year, more than 250 problem statements have been sent by 54 departments, departments, state governments, PSUs and industries.
“A 150 percent increase in internal hackathons at the institutional level was recorded, rising from over 900 in SIH 2023 to nearly 2,247 in SIH 2024, making this the largest program to date.
“More than 86,000 teams have participated in SIH 2024 at the institutional level and about 49,000 student teams (each with 6 students and 2 coaches) have been recommended by these institutions in the national round,” said a department official.