HackVSIT 2020

The relation between digital technology and Sustainable Development Goals has been studiedextensively in the last few years. Technology has a great potential to deliver SDGs howevermost often it is only delivered to the wealthy

This year Indian Youth Climate Network in partnership with ACE - The CSI Student Chapter ofVivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi organized a 24 hour hackathon toencourage technological innovations to promote sustainable living. A total of 276 students from14 states participated in the event to showcase their innovations. Mr. PInaki, GreenFaith IndiaDirector and​​Board Member IYCN addressed the students during the inaugural ceremony heldon 31st January 2020. He laid emphasis on the trend of startup culture booming around tech inclimate change and sustainable development goals. He presented his grief as India lost ⅓ of itswetlands. He also motivated participants to build solutions that can serve the poor of our country and build a commercial or social entrepreneurship model around it. He concluded by invitingteams to attend Hydromet Symposium, India. Dr. Supriya Singh, Senior Project Manager, IoraEcological Solutions and former president, IYCN also addressed the participants andencouraged them to solve air pollution problems. She further added that the positivity andenergy that young people have today is really inspiring. She concluded by narrating a quote fromDr. Jane Goodall’s - “​You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the worldaround you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of differenceyou want to make”.

and build a commercial or social entrepreneurship model around it. He concluded by invitingteams to attend Hydromet Symposium, India. Dr. Supriya Singh, Senior Project Manager, IoraEcological Solutions and former president, IYCN also addressed the participants andencouraged them to solve air pollution problems. She further added that the positivity andenergy that young people have today is really inspiring. She concluded by narrating a quote fromDr. Jane Goodall’s - “​You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the worldaround you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of differenceyou want to make”.After the inaugural, all excited participants picked up their laptops and started brainstorming ontheir ideas. A team of mentors was available day and night to help them in any way possible.After dinner, All teams submitted a brief summary of their Ideas and prototypes to the judges forthe concept validation and review. Final screening of demonstrations started on 1st February,2020. Mr. Pinaki and Mr. Ankan, Innovation Lead NITI Aayog and Board member IYCN wereamongst the senior members in the judgement panel. After a very rigorous selection process,top 16 teams were invited to present their elevator pitch in front of all participants and honorablejudges. Team T-Star, who secured first position developed VR and AR and voice drivenseamless cross platform to understand, manage and cope with mental health problems. From ageneral solution in form of VR therapy to specific solutions for anxiety, anger management,depression, lack of motivation, forgetfulness. The software was accompanied with tools to assistin meditation and help with sleep. First runner ups - team Alphacoder developed a solution todeliver the classroom teachings of urban teachers to rural students. Shiksha saathi is a smartand efficient content delivery system that enables rural students to learn from urban teacherswithout any extra effort. Shiksha saathi employs data compression, text conversion and speechsynthesis to overcome the issue of low internet connectivity in rural areas.

After the declaration of results, IYCN team interacted with participants and guided them in adirection to enhance their products and provided them tips on the way forward. Mr. Pinaki alsoinvited a proposal from team - Gr33n who developed IoT based solution for urban farming.Finally stickers, goodies and tee shirts were distributed to all the participants on their departure.