Srinagar, Oct 10: The two-day annual techno-cultural fest, ‘Techvaganza,’ kicked off at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Thursday. The event showcased the creativity and talent of students from across the Kashmir valley, with participants demonstrating their skills through a variety of programs.
The inaugural event was presided over by Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, who was Chief Guest on the occasion. It was graced by the presence of all Deans, Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman, DSW and Chairman of Techvaganza Prof. Abdul Liman, all HOD’s, HOC’s, Director & Head, BIS JKBO Tilak Raj, and faculty and administrative staff of NIT Srinagar.
Dr. Malik Pervez Ahmad is acting as Convener, Dr. Iqra Altaf Gilani as Coordinator, while Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran and Dr. Janani L are the Co-coordinators of the two-day event.
In his key address, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. A Ravinder Nath said that sustainability of institutions relies on innovation and creativity. Tomorrow, in the vision of a developed India 2047 and even under the NEP 2020, there is a strong focus on creativity, he said.
“There are over 2 million cars lying unused in garages, even though they have not touched the road. Each year, new models are introduced, while outdated ones are discarded. Today’s students belong to the Alpha generation, and soon the Beta generation will follow, while the teachers may belong to generations X, Y, or Z,” he added.
Prof. A Ravinder Nath further stressed the need to address practices that harm the environment, urging everyone to minimize their usage of such products. We must focus on recycling and reducing waste to make a meaningful contribution to the environment,” he added.
The Director of NIT Srinagar, along with Registrar Prof. Rehman, jointly flagged off a bike rally organized by BIS J&K from the NIT Srinagar campus towards Kargil. The rally was aimed to raise awareness about the importance of standards in ensuring safety and quality, particularly in the most challenging environments.
On the occasion, Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman said the two-day tech fest was aimed to provide a vibrant platform to students of the campus. “Such fests are not only a great way for students to showcase their skills but also an opportunity to learn from peers, industry experts, and the latest technological advancements,” he said.
Prof. Rehman said that Techvaganza promises an electrifying experience for all the attendees. This event has earned a reputation as a premier tech fest in the region. During the two-day event a wide range of workshops, seminars, and training sessions are being organized by experts in various fields, he added.
While welcoming the participants in Techvaganza 2024, DSW and Chairperson of Student Gymkhana, Prof. Abdul Liman said that this annual celebration of creativity, technology and innovation at NIT Srinagar has grown year by year. It has not become a platform for technical competence but also a symbol of collective commitment to shape a brighter future, he said.
“The theme of this year’s fest is Greener Innovation – Engineering a Sustainable World!” which focuses on how engineering and technology can contribute to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly future. “Greener innovation is a call to action, urging us to think beyond conventional solutions and adopt practices that promote sustainability,” he added.
Director & Head, BIS JKBO Tilak Raj said that the bike rally from Srinagar to Siachen base camp is aimed to reach. From there, the riders will proceed to Hundurmaan village, the last village of India, to raise awareness about BIS standards and their crucial role in ensuring safety and quality, even in the toughest environments, among local communities, he said.