Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed more than 10,000 engineering students who were participating in Smart India Hackathon 2017 via video conferencing. The 2-days hackathon is organised by the government with an aim to push PM Modi’s Digital India initiative where aspiring programmers and technology innovators will participate from across 26 centres across the country. The event touts to be world’s biggest technology hackathon with around 10,000 young minds, especially engineering students, participating in the event.
The event that was anchored by PM Modi on Saturday evening aims at figuring out social importance by various ministries and department of the government. Prior to the event, the Ministry of Electronics and IT, in its official press release said that the hackathon has been organised with an intention to promote innovation and come out with digital solutions to 598 problems identified by these ministries. Even online training sessions were given to students by more than 2,000 professional mentors appointed for the purpose.
PM Modi started off his speech by redefining the meaning of new-age democracy. He said, “Democracy is not giving a contract to someone for 5 years, it’s a collective responsibility.” India is a nation where a large chunk of its population is youth and today the youth of India has come together with enthusiasm for this programme, he added further. PM Modi also said that the youth of India is blessed with phenomenal energy and this energy will bring very good results for the nation in the days to come.
Further pitching for the need of technology in various departments, PM Modi said, “There is a need to use technology more and innovate more as we live in an era that is dominated by technology. A series of issues have been placed before our youth to work on. These issues are challenging, but it’s an explicit opportunity.” PM also boosted the students by saying that together we will solve all the issues that are affecting the nation. “This will be done through ‘Jan Bhagidari’. I am confident the outcomes of what my young friends are doing will lead to very positive results,” he said.
PM Modi also spoke about various other technology related advancement including artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D technology. He also suggested students to work towards their ideas with full dedication as it may turn into a ‘billion-dollar’ company tomorrow. Application and sharpening of knowledge translate into skills and both skills and knowledge are important, he said.
He session further moved towards the question-and-answer round (Q&A) where students from various regions presented their ideas and startup plans before the prime minister. Students here shared their ideas on issues pertaining to emergency ambulance solutions on highways, products to enhance Swachch Bharat Mission, electricity productions from the stress created from vehicles and many others.
Source: Financial Express
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