The SAMARTH Northeast Innovation Hackathon 2026 concludes at NIELIT Kohima, highlighting collaborative innovation.
Share
DIMAPUR — The closing ceremony of the SAMARTH Northeast Innovation Hackathon 2026 was held at the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Kohima, on Saturday.
According to a DIPR report, Principal Director of School Education Shashank Pratap Singh attended the occasion as the special guest.
In his speech, he described the hackathon as an acknowledgement and recognition of the dedicated efforts of NIELIT Kohima and stressed that a hackathon is more about collaboration than competition.
Shashank expressed his appreciation for the practical ideas presented by young minds. He further highlighted two key aspects to focus on: first, clarity of thought, as innovation must have a purpose and aim to solve real societal problems; and second, the need for energy-efficient solutions, since most modern models rely heavily on energy.
Also read: Northern Maram, Southern Angami celebrate 100 years of brotherhood
He added that if young minds come together and collaborate on such ideas, their innovations will be highly relevant to society. He also underscored that ideas should address local issues.
Shashank remarked that learning is a continuous process and knowledge must be shared among peers. He also referred to India’s target for 2047, noting that it can be achieved through innovation and collaboration.
Director of NIELIT Assam and Nagaland L Lanuwabang stated that everything begins with one step. Every small step can grow into a significant product in the market tomorrow, and every innovation starts with a simple idea.
He explained that the SAMARTH approach begins from the basics at the school level and focuses on converting theory into practical solutions. In today’s AI-driven generation, there is a strong focus on the innovation of a small thing with maximum features.
He highlighted that the initiative was made possible through collaboration between NIELIT and the northeastern states, with various experiments being developed in e-content. He further added that SAMARTH aims to scale up to the national level and create a wider impact, expressing happiness that it began in the northeastern region.
One of the key objectives of SAMARTH, Lanuwabang noted, is to map each student’s potential, understanding their calibre, behaviour, strengths, and analytical abilities.
The hackathon saw the participation of 13 teams. PM Shri School, Mizoram, secured the first position, followed by PM Shri School, Thahekhu, Dimapur, in second place. Jalukbari Higher Secondary School, Guwahati, claimed the third position.
All remaining participants received consolation prizes.