Dr. Pragya Khanna
There are moments in an academician’s life that transcend the routine of lectures, lesson plans, and examination halls, moments that remind us that education is far bigger than the spaces in which it is delivered. It stretches beyond classrooms into a vibrant, national and global landscape of ideas, innovation, and meaningful problem-solving. My participation as a jury member for the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 is one such moment, one that fills me with a quiet sense of pride and profound gratitude.
This write-up is a personal reflection, an attempt to share with the people of Jammu & Kashmir, especially our young students, the spirit of an experience that is deeply humbling and immensely inspiring.
When I received the communication from the Higher Education Department of Jammu & Kashmir informing me of my nomination as the Team Coordinator of the Jury for SIH 2025, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. Opportunities like these do not come often, and when they do, they symbolize much more than individual recognition. They reflect the progress of an entire academic community that is steadily evolving, growing in confidence, and contributing meaningfully to the national framework of innovation.
To be entrusted with the role of evaluating and mentoring student innovators from across the country is not just an honour, it is also a testament to the collective efforts of teachers, institutions, and students across our UT who are striving every day to raise the standards of education and creativity.
What makes this year particularly meaningful is that our entire jury team, comprised of dedicated and experienced faculty members from GDC Hiranagar, GDC Udhampur, and GCOE Jammu, was expected to travel to Hyderabad to participate in the grand finale in person. We were looking forward to interacting directly with student teams from across India and witnessing their innovation first-hand.
However, life often reminds us that even the best-laid plans are not immune to unforeseen challenges.
Due to the unfortunate nationwide disruptions in airline operations, our team was unable to travel to Hyderabad. Flights were cancelled, schedules collapsed, and alternatives evaporated. It was a situation none of us had anticipated.
But if there is one thing the Smart India Hackathon has taught all of us, it is this:
‘Innovation does not stop when circumstances become difficult. Innovation adapts.’
The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and AICTE quickly facilitated online participation, ensuring that the evaluation process could proceed smoothly despite the situation. And so, the seven of us, spread across different corners of Jammu, connected virtually, turning our homes and offices into digital jury rooms.
In that moment, something remarkable became clear: The spirit of SIH is not tied to a venue, a city, or a physical gathering. It lives in the exchange of ideas, in the enthusiasm of the students, and in the willingness of educators to guide them, whether in a conference hall or through a screen.
The Smart India Hackathon is not merely a competition. It is a celebration of ideas. A challenge that pushes young people to think boldly. A platform where the problems of society meet the brilliance of student innovators. The energy it creates is electric, contagious, and deeply inspiring.And this year, Jammu & Kashmir is not just participating, we are leading, mentoring, and evaluating innovations that will shape the future.
As Team Coordinator, I have the privilege of working with a group of colleagues who are not just experts in their fields but are passionate mentors and compassionate human beings. My jury team includes: Prof. Harvinder Kour, Prof. Roopali Jamwal, Prof. Rakesh Sharma, all three from GDC Hiranagar Prof. Parveen Singh & Prof. Piyali Arora from GDC Udhampur and Prof. Sonam Gandotra, from GCOE Jammu, besides Prof. Manpreet Kaur and Prof. Ridham (GDC Hiranagar) behind the curtain.
Together, we have spent time teaching, guiding, mentoring, and learning from our students. Representing Jammu & Kashmir at SIH 2025, albeit virtually, is a collective achievement that reflects the efforts of many classrooms, many conversations, and many dreams.
Although the technical details of the problem statements are confidential and cannot be shared publicly, I can safely say this: Every challenge posed in the hackathon speaks to the real needs of modern education, student welfare, and societal progress. And the passion with which young innovators respond to these challenges is nothing short of inspiring. These themes fall under key SIH tracks including Smart Education, EdTech, HealthTech, and Smart Automation. They aim to modernize academic management, enhance student well-being, strengthen career guidance, and bridge industry-academia gaps.
During the online mentoring and evaluation sessions, I witnessed:
• teams working day and night to refine their prototypes,
• students presenting with remarkable confidence,
• young minds who refused to be limited by resources or geography,
• and a level of collaboration that gives hope for the future of our country.
Whether they were presenting from host institutes or from remote corners of India, their creativity was undiminished.
As educators, we often speak about building a “New India.” In SIH, I saw that new India taking shape before my eyes.
If you are a young student from Jammu & Kashmir reading this, then this message is for you:
“Your potential is limitless. The world is opening doors for you. And you deserve to be part of national and global conversations on innovation”.
Seeing faculty members from J&K participate as jury and mentors at SIH 2025 is not just an administrative achievement, it is a symbolic milestone for our youth. It tells you unequivocally:
• You belong in spaces of innovation.
• You can compete with the best.
• Your ideas matter.
• And your region is no barrier to your growth.
Every time a teacher from J&K is invited to guide national teams, it strengthens the path for thousands of young minds who will follow.
While we regret not being able to travel to Hyderabad, after all, being present amidst the energy of a live hackathon is a special experience, the virtual platform offered something unexpected and beautiful.
As I reflect on this journey, I am filled with gratitude, for the trust of my department, the cooperation of my colleagues, and the inspiration provided by young innovators across India.
But more importantly, I am filled with hope. Hope that the spirit of collaboration and creativity that drives the Smart India Hackathon will find its way into every classroom in Jammu & Kashmir. Hope that more of our students will participate in national competitions. Hope that the next big idea may very well emerge from our small hills, remote towns and border villages.
And hope that, together, we will continue building an ecosystem where innovation, compassion, and education are woven seamlessly into the fabric of everyday learning. |
