Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha addressed the young innovators participating in the Grand Finale of the ‘Smart India Hackathon 2024 – Hardware Edition’ at Galgotias University in Greater Noida. In his keynote speech, the Lieutenant Governor praised the Government of India’s pioneering initiative, which celebrates innovation and collaboration, providing a dynamic platform for the nation’s brightest minds to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.
The Lieutenant Governor described the Smart India Hackathon as a powerful tool to bridge the gap between educational institutions and industries. Over the next four days, participants from across the country will work on critical problem statements to create viable, innovative solutions.
Reflecting on the significant transformation in India’s innovation landscape over the past decade, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,
Shri Manoj Sinha highlighted that India has emerged as a global leader in new inventions. These innovations are crucial not only for the nation’s economic growth but also for the well-being of society. He urged the youth to translate their ideas into socially impactful and commercially viable applications, ensuring that the benefits of new technologies reach every section of society.
“You have the courage, talent, and dedication to explore the unknown and give new momentum to India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation,” Shri Sinha said to the young innovators. He emphasized the need for cutting-edge technologies and environment-friendly innovations to lead the nation in technological advancements while ensuring sustainable development.
Shri Manoj Sinha stressed that innovations should focus on societal benefits such as water and energy conservation, waste management, precision agriculture, and e-governance. He urged innovators to explore critical issues in agriculture, including soil health, pest control, and climate change, emphasizing the potential of real-time data and advanced technology to address these challenges.
Highlighting the importance of Industry 4.0, the Lieutenant Governor pointed out that augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence, and other core technologies can revolutionize sectors like manufacturing, product development, maintenance, and quality control. These technologies, he noted, will significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce production downtime.
He also underlined the need for intelligent, integrated devices to address global challenges in food, water, environment, and energy. The core components of Industry 4.0, including IoT, Big Data, AR, AI, and advanced robotics, will have a profound impact on sectors like space, atomic energy, and defense technologies, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between academia, industry, and policymakers to solve societal and national challenges. He called on mentors and faculty members to encourage students to adopt a “Problem First” approach, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship on university campuses.
Emphasizing the crucial role of educational institutions in establishing India as a knowledge economy, Shri Manoj Sinha called for the full implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, aligning with the nation’s broader goals.
In a gesture of support for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, the Chancellor of Galgotias University, at the Lieutenant Governor’s request, announced a 50% scholarship for students from the region.