Published on: December 13, 2024
The Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024, held at Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) on December 13-14, 2024, was a landmark event aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among SRHU students, faculty, and staff, and the entrepreneurial community of Uttarakhand. Powered by SRHU Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the festival was a platform to inspire creativity, collaboration, and societal impact. The event saw participation of more than 100 start-ups and 5000 students from schools, colleges and universities in Uttarakhand.
The inaugural ceremony of the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 began on a spiritually enriching note, with Mata Shri Mangla Ji (Chief Guest) and Shri Bhole Ji Maharaj (Guest of Honour) gracing the occasion. Dr Vijay Dhasmana, President of SRHU, Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Vice-Chancellor of SRHU, and Dr Amjad Husain, Director HCIE, shared the stage with the esteemed chief guests. The event marked the beginning of a festival dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Uttarakhand, blending traditional values with forward-thinking initiatives.
At the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024, inspiring addresses were delivered by prominent leaders, including Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Vice-Chancellor of SRHU, Dr Vijay Dhasmana, President of SRHU, and the chief guest, Mata Shri Mangla Ji. Dr Dobhal spoke on the pivotal role of innovation in advancing education and research across the region. Dr. Dhasmana reaffirmed SRHU’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship and supporting local talent. Mata Shri Mangla Ji shared words of wisdom that encouraged the integration of innovation with cultural and spiritual values, aligning with the festival’s vision of nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem in Uttarakhand.
The SRHU Entrepreneurship Policy was officially released by the esteemed chief guest, Mata Shri Mangla Ji, at the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024. This significant policy aims to foster a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem within the university, encouraging innovation, startups, and business ventures. The release marks a milestone in SRHU’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and driving economic growth in the region. The policy is designed to empower students, faculty, and local communities to turn their ideas into impactful enterprises. The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Amjad Husain, Director of HCIE, who expressed gratitude to the guests, speakers, and participants for their participation in the innovation festival.
The Innovation Exhibition was formally inaugurated by the esteemed chief guest, Mata Shri Mangla Ji, whose presence brought a profound spiritual resonance to the event, symbolizing the festival’s theme of uniting tradition with forward-thinking innovation. The exhibition featured a diverse array of ground breaking entrepreneurial initiatives, highlighting the dynamic and creative energy emerging from the region. Mata Shri Mangla Ji’s blessings set a meaningful tone for what promises to be a transformative journey in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship across Uttarakhand.
The Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 featured insightful short lectures aimed at inspiring and educating aspiring entrepreneurs. Session 1, titled “Idea to Startup: How to Build Ventures at SRHU,” was delivered by Dr Amjad Husain (Director, HCIE, SRHU), providing valuable guidance on transforming ideas into successful ventures, with a focus on leveraging SRHU’s ecosystem. Session 2, “From Cancer Surgeon to Entrepreneur: Transforming Elderly Care Through Innovation & Compassion,” by Dr Sunil Saini (Director CRI, SRHU), explored the intersection of healthcare and entrepreneurship, highlighting how innovation and compassion are reshaping elderly care. Both sessions offered practical insights and inspiring narratives for attendees, encouraging the pursuit of entrepreneurial ventures with social impact.
The Business Idea Competition at the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 provided a dynamic platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative business concepts. Participants presented their business pitches to a panel of esteemed judges, highlighting the potential for market impact, sustainability, and scalability. The competition aimed to foster creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging participants to think beyond traditional business models. It also served as an opportunity for networking, mentorship, and feedback, enabling participants to refine their ideas and strategies for success. The event exemplified the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs in Uttarakhand.
The Entrepreneurship Poster Competition at the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 provided a platform for students, researchers, and innovators to showcase their creative ideas and innovative solutions. Participants presented their projects through visually engaging posters, covering a wide range of topics from technology to social impact. The competition fostered critical thinking and problem-solving skills while promoting a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange. Judges evaluated the presentations based on originality, relevance, and potential for real-world application. The event highlighted the importance of visual communication in conveying complex ideas and sparked further discussions on innovation in Uttarakhand.
The valedictory ceremony of the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 was graced by esteemed Chief Guests Shri Subodh Uniyal Ji, Minister of Technical Education & Forest, and Shri Saurabh Bahuguna Ji, Minister of Skill Development & Employment, Government of Uttarakhand. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a successful festival, celebrating the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in the state. Shri Subodh Uniyal Ji lauded the efforts of young innovators and emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing talent through technical education. He highlighted the importance of aligning innovation with sustainable development, particularly in Uttarakhand’s unique ecological landscape. Shri Saurabh Bahuguna Ji emphasized the need to bridge the gap between innovation and employability. He encouraged students to take their ideas from concept to market, assuring continued government support for skill-building and entrepreneurship.
Dr Vijay Dhasmana, President, SRHU, praised the vibrant energy and creativity witnessed at UIF 2024. He urged students and faculty to continue fostering a culture of innovation that uplifts communities and reflects SRHU’s vision of serving humanity through excellence in education and research. Dr. Rajendra Dobhal, Vice-Chancellor, SRHU, reflected on the significance of such platforms in transforming Uttarakhand into a hub for knowledge-based innovation. He encouraged collaboration among academia, industry, and startups to solve real-world challenges through technology and sustainable thinking. Their words highlighted the government’s commitment to creating an ecosystem that nurtures creativity, innovation, and job creation in Uttarakhand. The event concluded with a renewed sense of inspiration for participants to continue their entrepreneurial journeys.
The award ceremony of the Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 celebrated outstanding achievements across various domains, recognizing the innovative spirit of individuals and organizations. Chief Guests presented awards in five categories: Excellence in Schools Award, Emerging Startup Award, Business Idea Award, Technology Innovation Award, and Community Welfare Award. The winners were lauded for their exceptional contributions to education, entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and social impact. The ceremony highlighted the festival’s mission to inspire creativity and innovation while fostering a culture of excellence in Uttarakhand. It concluded with applause for the awardees, motivating others to pursue innovation-driven endeavours.
