Nagaland’s first robotic event attracts students to Jotsoma

NAGABOTS empowering the next generation of technology leaders in Nagaland 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 25

Nagaland’s first-ever robotics event billed as ‘TECHMORPHOSIS’ took place at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma under the aegis of Nagaland-based robotics organization-NAGABOTS and in collaboration with Department of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland under the banner of ‘Startup Nagaland.’

‘TECHMORPHOSIS event was partnered by Kohima Science College, Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Nagaland and UCO Bank in an attempt to promote technological education and innovation in Nagaland.

A total of 127 participants from 14 educational institutions from Kohima and Dimapur districts joined the event held on March 25.

Reny Wilfred, Joint Secretary, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) inaugurated the event as the special guest. He called upon the students to think beyond and move ahead. Wilfred encouraged the participants to think of things that they can innovate to make the lives of people around easier through robots. It should be a tool for them to get better employment, he said, adding that the platform should be used to trigger the young minds to think beyond what is possible.

TECHMORPHOSIS (Innovation in motion) has brought the students and professionals alike together to showcase their creativity and skills and share their passion for robotics. TECHMORPHOSIS featured coding challenges, robot-building and interactive gaming experiences.

Among the many projects in today’s event includes, smart dustbin, smart parking system, smart city, project on automated bot for internal transportation of raw materials stage-wise till finish product inside a mechanized furniture factory, smart cap for visually impaired (ultrasonic sensor based), line following bot etc..

The event aims to promote the development of technology and innovation in Nagaland, as well as provide a platform for students and enthusiasts to showcase their skills, according to NAGABOTS Director, Er Kikrukhrielie Khezhie. The goal of NAGABOTS is to inspire and empower the next generation of technology leaders in Nagaland.

‘We want to see start-ups in the field of robotics’
Delivering keynote address, Er Keneirienuo K Theunuo, Assistant Director (Tech) & Team Leader Startup Nagaland, Department of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland said, “Today’s programme is an initiative under our Program (Startup Nagaland) where we focus on encouraging young innovative minds to come up with creative solutions to tackle problems we face.”

Er Theunuo informed that one of the areas of the department of industries and commerce focuses on creating a culture of innovation and creativity in “our youth allowing them to build successful start-up companies, becoming job creators not job seekers.”

“Creative thinking helps build and strengthen our cognitive ability, improving memory and sequencing skills while teaching us how to problem solve with out of the box solutions!,” she maintained.

A lot of Startups started their businesses by creating solutions to the problems that we face in our state. We have tech start-ups in the field of IT and we want to see startups in the field of robotics as well, she said.

Stating that the concept of robots has existed for many years, she said “it is only been in the last few decades that they’ve grown in complexity and use. Nowadays, there are many practical applications for robots across a wide range of fields.”

Also stating that Nagaland’s first robotics centre to be a part of the Startup ecosystem, she encouraged Kohima Science College Jotsoma to also be a part of its Incubation team.

“These innovative challenges promote critical thinking, a sense of adventure, and an openness to adapt, also giving you all a platform to showcase your talents. We have seen a lot of states where their start-ups have created their own robots,” she said.

Staying that India is now a hub of the coolest robots with advancements in robotics and AI, she called upon the young minds to build their own robots, get inspired by those states or even look at the problems in the state and try to solve them with their innovative skills.

“Aspire to learn, be creative, innovative,” she advised the students.

Dr Temjenwapang, Principal Kohima Science College thanked NAGABOTS, Industries & Commerce department, IDAN and all the departments and agencies who have contributed towards this programme. He also looks forward more such programme in the coming days as well.

To the students, he said, “Please try to be more innovative and be enterprise in the days to come.”
 
Winners of ‘TECHMORPHOSIS event
 
RoboChamp
1st - John Pradia (Stella HSS, Kohima)
2nd - Imtiakum Chang (St John School, Diphupar-B)
3rd-Munuyi Nakhro (Minister's Hill Baptist HSS, Kohima)
Best Design- Chentimoa Amri (Hope Academy, Dimapur)
Best Presentation- Kunuvi Khamo (Minister's Hill Baptist HSS, Kohima)
 
Scratch
1st - Rathailung Felix Panmei (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima)
2nd - Chumrenthung Humtsoe (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima) 
3rd - Zhoto Theyo (Minister's Hill Baptist HSS, Kohima)
Best design- Nukuzo Ringa (Minister's Hill Baptist HSS, Kohima)
Best presentation- Cuvelo Swuro (Minister's Hill Baptist HSS, Kohima)
 
App Inventor
1st - Donen Chang Solo (Northfield School, Kohima)
2nd - Rishir Molier and Keso Thong Seb (Northfield School, Kohima)
3rd - Nokhuseto Kirha (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima) 
Best design- Ngarenso W Sangma and Rakuyiu Damian Basena (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima) 
Best presentation- Judanger Molier (Hope Academy, Dimapur)
 Basic Electronics
1st - Ovungjan Y Ovung (St. John School, Diphupar-B)
2nd - Akummen and Imnasanen Imsong (Stella HSS, Kohima)
3rd - Janglungpu Longmei (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima) 
Best design- Rakovilu (St John School, Diphupar-B)
Best presentation- Sangzui H Lam (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima) 
 
Arduino
1st - Octonu Chishi, Ngukivito H Rochill and Toshizungla Jamir (Hope Academy, Dimapur)
2nd - Ongpangsenbo LKR (Hope Academy, Dimapur)
3rd - K Supie, Gwakenye Keppen and Kekhriezhazo Nakhro (Stella HSS, Kohima)
Best Presentation- Zaiyigum Zeliang (Holotoli School, Dimapur)
Best Design- Rikok Lamliu and Thejasevor Tseikha (Northfield School, Kohima)
 
Innovation Challenge
1st - Er Rishav Sethi (Arham - An Intra- Department)
2nd- Kevichüsie Thorie, Vekuvolu Nyekha, Atheli K Achumi and Kekhrieneise Chusi (Guardian Angel Project) (Stella HSS, Kohima)
3rd - Kuzo Kezo and Rosan Ram (Army Cantonment Smart City) (St Mary's Cathedral HSS, Kohima) 
 
Mini Hackathon
(Capture the Flag)
Winners- Nivevi, Manyong and Pewoka (Fernwood Hr. Sec. School, Kohima)
Best Team Work- Abangmaithrong and Megusatuo (Northfield School, Kohima)