Indian entrepreneurship and technology potential, lying dormant in its universities, has now been summoned when a unique hackathon was launched by TERRE Policy Centre and MIT ADT University in Pune on July 18, 2020. It is the first-ever response of Indian universities to the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India.

The recent announcement of Prime Minister Modi, whose government banned 59 Chinese apps, has opened the doors and unlocked the opportunity for India’s youth to deploy their soft power. While the two armies are retreating in Galwan Valley, India’s youth power is advancing to fill the digital gorge and outshine Chinese apps by wiping out all its frail, fragile and flimsy dimensions.

Called as HAB-59 - which is short for Hackathon for Atmanirbhar Bharat for 59 banned Apps - the competition has thrown a challenge for Indian youth over the next month through the  process of idea creation and demonstration.

Taking cognizance of  Prime minister Modi’s thoughts on “Going Vocal about Local to become Global,” TERRE and MIT ADT have forged the alliance and enlarged the partnership to include the private sector like Tech- Mahindra, MakersLab, Devfolio and Matic and Fold.

The hackathon aims to reach out to young Indian tech-geeks who have a thirst and resolve to innovate, and who have keen desire to unleash their potential with the fervour. It is directed to leverage India’s young talent for national good and service, at the time when it is required the most.

“Making it in India is like respecting the local talents to develop better than global-quality products and service,” Dr Mangesh Karad, Executive President, MIT ADT University, said in a virtual press conference. MIT ADT University is one of the top-ranking universities in India, which is engaged in skilling the students in technology, design and art. Having collaboration with renowned universities around the world, it has prioritized to provide integrated and value-added education to youth.

TERRE Policy Centre, an NGO, is engaged in seeking sustainable solutions to our developmental imperatives. Its flagship network of global universities called Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN) works with university and college-campus for implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in partnership with UNESCO. It is supported by four other UN organizations.

When asked about the intent behind his concept of  hackathon, Dr Rajendra Shende, Chairman TERRE Policy Centre, said, “The power of technology can be harnessed for social and environmental cause by challenging the potential of youth, particularly when the country is challenged with an adverse situation.”

Dr Shende believes that such competitive platforms can produce multiple solutions for India’s various problems.
 
Short term and long term objectives of HAB-59 are :

· To provide a platform to young Indian talented groups in application development for IT-based solutions in multiple categories of 59 Chinese apps banned by the Government of India

· To identify potential to secure applications that not only competes but works much better than those banned by the Indian government

· Connect the young talents with ministries, industries, and financial institutions for an entrepreneur opportunities

The final round of HAB-59 will be hosted online on Aug 13 and Aug 14 2020.

Evaluation in mid-August would be followed by awards event. Awards include Rs. 1 million as well as facilitation of commercialization of apps. It is open for graduates and post-graduates. If you are not a student, then participates have to be not more than 25 years of age.

In addition, the hackathon promises opportunities to set start-up with AIC-MIT ADT University, Pune, to work as interns, project leaders and social entrepreneurs with TERRE Policy Centre and to connect winners with industries and financial institutes for commercialization with speed.

Details rules and regulations of the Hackathon are available on https://hackathon59.mituniversity.edu.in/

For more information contact :

MIT ADT: hackathon.59@mituniversity.edu.in,

TERRE Policy Centre: sccn.team@gmail.com