‘HackHeritage’ by Heritage Institute of Technology Set the Stage for Future Innovators!

The Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata, became a bustling hub of innovation and competition on September 6 as it hosted its grand intra-college hackathon, HackHeritage’ . This mega event saw the enthusiastic participation of more than 1,000 students from various departments across the institute, all vying for a spot in the final round. The 24-hour hackathon stretched from September 6 to 7, culminating in the selection of 600 talented students who will advance to the final stage of this intense competition.

HackHeritage was not just a showcase of creativity and problem-solving but also served as a pre-qualifier event for the prestigious Smart India Hackathon (SIH). The event strictly adhered to the rules and regulations of SIH, ensuring that participants gained a realistic experience of what to expect on the national stage. The top teams emerging from HackHeritage will go on to represent Heritage Institute of Technology at the Smart India Hackathon, a highly anticipated event that draws some of the brightest young minds from across the country.

“We wanted to give a simulation of how Smart India Hackathon takes place and apart from this, HackHeritage will give an opportunity to the students to learn and innovate which are very much necessary to win laurels at Smart India Hackathon. A competitive platform like HackHeritage will help us to select the right pool of talent who will represent our Institute at Smart India Hackathon,” remarked Prof Joydeb Hazra from the Department of CSBS and the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Smart India Hackathon 2024 at HITK.

Prof Basab Chaudhuri, Principal of Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata, emphasised the event's role in identifying the institute’s best and brightest who could represent them on a national platform. “The event will help us to find the right students who can represent us at SIH 2024. The students are really working hard and giving their best. They are finding solutions to the real time problems which our country is facing,” he stated, highlighting the dedication and ingenuity of the participants.

Adding further significance to the event, P K Agarwal, CEO of Heritage Group of Institutions, spoke about the hackathon's alignment with the broader goals of nation-building and self-reliance. "There is a sea change in the field of education after the release of NEP 2020. Smart India Hackathon is a platform where students will give solutions to real time problems our Country is facing and thus theis platform is also paving the way towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.

Agarwal’s words underscored the importance of such platforms in shaping the future of India through innovation and self-sufficiency.

The event was graced by several distinguished members of the group including Vikram Swarup, Vice Chairman, Heritage Group of Institutions; P R Agarwala, Chairman of Heritage Institute of Technology; Sajjan Bhajanka, Secretary; and Siddharth Swarup, Trustee, Heritage Group of Institutions. Their presence added prestige to the event, further motivating the participants to put forth their best efforts

HackHeritage was more than just a competition; it was an opportunity for the budding innovators to challenge themselves, collaborate, and contribute to solving some of the pressing issues facing India today.