Sankalp Manthan’s Ponda & Dharbandora cluster fuels youth innovation

Goa Khabar: As part of the ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) and the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) hosted the Ponda & Dharbandora cluster interaction for Sankalp Manthan at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda. The initiative forms the second phase of a statewide youth empowerment drive designed to nurture problem-solving, entrepreneurship and AI-readiness among college students across Goa.

The event was graced by Shri. Govind Gaude, Hon’ble MLA for Priol; Shri. Bhushan Savaikar, Director, Directorate of Higher Education; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; Dr. Niyan Marchon, Program Director, DHE; and Shri. DS Prashant, CEO, SITPC.

Participating students from colleges across Ponda and Dharbandora gained valuable industry perspectives through a panel discussion titled ‘Architects of Viksit Bharat 2047: Driving India’s Vision Through Youth Innovation’. Moderated by Smt. Vaibhavi Sawant (Founder, BitMento), the panel featured Shri. Bhushan Savaikar (Director, Directorate of Higher Education), Shri. Shawn Kenneth Fernandes (Founder & CEO, Fluxatic Global & BridgeAura Academy), Shri. Sumukh Kamat (Founder, The Energy Footprint), Shri. Damodar Patnekar (Founder, Bodhami), Ms. Ujwala Nhivekar (Co-Founder, TAWAI Studio) and Shri. Mohiet Hastwala (Founder, MH Institute of Learning).

The session also featured an inspiring keynote address on innovation by Shri. Ryan Vaz, Managing Director of Infinity3D. As part of the Sankalp Setu hackathon, shortlisted student teams from the cluster pitched their solutions to mentors, receiving hands-on guidance to refine their projects.