IIT Bombay Techfest begins Jan 3, 2014

Madiha Jawed | shiksha.com

Regarded as Asia's biggest science and technology festival, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) is all set to play host at its annual festival - 'Techfest'  from Jan 3 to Jan 5, 2014. Supported by UNESCO and UNICEF, the fest is expected to be attended by over lakh youngsters from all across the country. The fest per se reaches out to 2,300 colleges in India and over 500 colleges abroad.

This year, the event aims to promote technology, scientific thinking and innovation among students and will include exhibits from US, Japan, Berlin, Switzerland etc. The USP of Techfest this year will be the 'Supercars' exhibition where cars such as Ferrari F430, Porsche 911 and Mercedes E Cabriolet will run full throttle at IIT-B’s campus.

The fest features numerous activities across different genres too. Let’s take a small tour of Techfest 2014, here at shiksha.com:

Initiatives of IIT-B’s Techfest 2014

1. International Robotics Challenge: Participants will be given an opportunity to prove one’s prowess at an international level. This challenge will include a combat of robotic gladiators testing the very survival of the fittest.
2. Cassiopeian Wars: Battle of bots.Watch the video here:

3. TIMUN, IIT Bombay: Discuss. Decide. Develop.Watch the video here:

4. ISMOKE: I support the movement to kill cancer

5. Reform’n’ation: A challenge to lead India.

6. Inter IIT Tech Meet: A pan-IIT technical extravaganza

7. Robowars: Clash of the Titans

8. Techfest National School Quiz

Techfest 2014 will also conduct an event called IDEATE which is a platform to reform the existing techniques to make this world a better place to live in. The themes here include:

1. Prakriti: What we are doing to the world affects us proportionately.
2. Unnat: This section of ideate is an obeisance to Gandhi
3. Yojna: By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail
4. Curiosio: The Innovation challenge

Techfest 2014 Competitions

IIT-Bombay’s annual fest will also invite colleges to compete for huge cash prizes and set their supremacy by defeating their opponents. Competitive events to be held at the event include:

1. International Challenge
2. Cassiopeian Wars
3. Robotron
4. Dimensions
5. Xtreme Machines
6. Code Master
7. Designeer
8. Inter IIT Tech Meet

Techfest 2014 Workshops

As part of this initiative, participants at Techfest 2014 will be made better acquainted with the latest technology and also be provided with valuable hands-on experience on using the technology under the guidance of professionals. The fest will have workshops on the following:

 Watch IIT-B Techfest 2014 Workshop videos, here!

Techfest 2014 Lectures

Under this segment of the workshop, students will get a chance to interact with some of the most eminent personalities from varied fields like CNR Rao( Head of Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Council and a Bharat Ratna awardee), Kiran Bedi(First women IPS officer), Stephen Wolfram (Chief designer of the Mathematica and CEO of Wolfram research), Gordan Ray(President and CEO, IEEE).

Watch the video here:

Lectures will be held from Jan 3 to Jan 5, 2014, however, there is no registration or fees required to attend the lectures at the fest. Students need to carry their valid Photo ID to enter the IIT-B campus during the fest. Entry to the event is strictly on first-come, first-serve basis.

Techfest 2014 Exhibitions

The exhibitions at Techfest give students a chance to introduce new technology to the community. Exhibitions at IIT-B’s annual fest include:

• International Exhibits: The mecca of technology from all over the world
• Techconnect: Research of IIT Bombay
• Street Exhibits: Amalgamation of art with technology

No registration or fees is required to attend the exhibitions which will be held from Jan 3 - Jan 5, 2014.However, students are expected to carry a valid Photo ID along with them.

Techfest 2014 Technoholix

As the name suggest, Technoholix is a blend of science and technology filled with pure entertainment and is sure to give audiences a visual treat  worth remembering. This year, Technoholix, will include the following:

• June - The immersive musical: An immersive musical using 3D projection mapping set to create an all new experience of the futuristic theatrical shows.
• Charles Peachock: Two time gold medalist and world champion juggler will create a new, unprecedented approach to world-class juggling as an art form
• Siro-A: A revolution in live entertainment, fusing mime, groundbreaking visual effects and an electro soundtrack to create a mind-blowing theatrical experience
• Wheel Sensation: Performers executing virtually infinite number of acrobatic figures, each more complex and awe-inspiring than the last which create a spectacular and expressive show
• Cait Lin: Defying the tradition of classical-crossover closely associated with the electric violin and experimenting with pop, rock and international club house
• Tararam: An exciting and inspiring theatrical, musical and dance experience with artists versatile in their abilities to give the audience unique and unforgettable experience
  

Watch the teaser here:

Techfest 2014 Ozone

Keeping the festive spirit alive, IIT- Bombay’s Techfest 2014 event Ozone encompasses dazzling array of addictive games, informal workshops, hangout sessions, wacky competitions, mind boggling quizzes, etc. No pre-registrations and pre-requisites are required to enjoy this part of Techfest.