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Raja Imaya Bharathi
Raja Imaya Bharathi

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From Ideation to Finals: My Journey as a Team Lead in Smart India Hackathon 2023

Blog Index

  1. Introduction
  2. Team Formation and Idea Selection
  3. Market Research and Startup Pitching
  4. Weeks of Building, Prototyping, and Polishing the Idea
  5. Internal Hackathon and Challenges
  6. Finalist Announcement and Nodal Center
  7. Traveling and Exploring
  8. 24 Hours Before Hackathon
  9. 36 Hours of Intensive Coding
  10. Conclusion

Introduction

I am beyond excited to share the exhilarating news that our team has qualified for the finals of the Smart India Hackathon 2023, the world’s largest open innovation competition! Out of an astounding 54,000 idea submissions, our innovation emerged as one of the top 5 in the prestigious Smart Vehicle category, for which the problem statement was given by the Moe’s Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and AICTE.

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The hackathon, held over an intense 36-hour coding marathon at Srinithi Institute of Science and Technology in Secunderabad, Telangana, was a true test of creativity, resilience, and collaboration. It was a journey brimming with innovation, where my team and I, alongside incredible minds from across the country, immersed ourselves in shaping solutions for tomorrow's challenges.

As the team leader, this experience not only sharpened my technical acumen but also highlighted the power of collective effort and the importance of diversity in problem-solving.

Innovation thrives where ideas collide, and the only limit is the one you set for yourself.

It was an unforgettable rollercoaster of learning, growth, and sheer excitement, which I am thrilled to share with you.


Team Formation and Idea Selection

For the Smart India Hackathon 2023, I made sure to adhere to the standard team formation rules, ensuring a balanced gender ratio of 5:1, with our team consisting of 4 boys and 2 girls. We carefully selected a combination of skills that would complement each other perfectly. Our team was made up of 2 Frontend Developers, 1 Cloud Engineer, 2 Backend Developers, and myself, the Full Stack Engineer. Each member was handpicked based on their expertise and passion for technology, ensuring we had the right mix of skills to take on the challenge.

After extensive brainstorming, we chose a Smart Transport problem statement from the Software Edition of Student Innovations, which perfectly aligned with our interests and expertise. The transportation sector, with its challenges and growing need for technological solutions, seemed like the ideal area where we could make a meaningful impact. We were determined to create an innovative solution that would not only solve real-world problems but also push the boundaries of what technology can achieve in the transport industry.

The idea selection was a collaborative effort, with each team member contributing their insights and knowledge. We knew that in such a competitive environment, having the right idea was just as crucial as having the right team. With a clear vision in mind and a dedicated team ready to tackle the problem head-on, we set out on an exciting journey to transform our idea into reality.


Market Research and Startup Pitching

Once the team was formed and the goal set, we dove headfirst into the market research phase to ensure that we were not just working on an innovative idea, but one that had the potential to make a significant impact.

To understand the landscape better, we meticulously explored products from other countries, particularly focusing on the transportation sector. We analyzed existing solutions, their pricing models, and the overall tender costs associated with similar projects in global markets.

Our research didn't stop there; we also looked into the benefits that these solutions were delivering to users and the percentage of people who were reaping the rewards. This gave us valuable insights into what worked and what didn't, allowing us to identify gaps in the market and areas that were underserved. We were particularly keen on understanding aspirational markets—where the potential for growth and impact was highest.


Weeks of Building, Prototyping, and Polishing the Idea

During this phase, our team shifted into high gear, turning our initial idea into a tangible solution. We began with the High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD), laying the groundwork for the architecture that would guide our project’s development. With a clear vision in place, we began working on the cloud architecture diagram, ensuring scalability, security, and efficiency in the backend infrastructure.

Alongside this, we designed the entity relationship diagram to clearly define the data flow and interactions between various components. For the UI/UX prototyping, we turned to Figma, creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that would appeal to a wide range of users, from urban tech-savvy users to those in rural areas. Our focus was on ensuring accessibility and simplicity, ensuring that even those with limited technical skills would find our platform easy to use.

One of the key aspects of our prototyping was testing a diverse set of user scenarios, such as mobile users, non-mobile users, and smartphone users, as well as those using button phones. We knew that for our solution to be truly impactful, it needed to be adaptable to various user types and their specific needs. Additionally, we worked on high-accuracy GPS tracking, ensuring that our solution could seamlessly work across rural and urban areas, providing precise location data in all environments.

This phase was all about fine-tuning the idea, testing every aspect of the user experience, and iterating quickly based on feedback. As we continued to build, prototype, and polish our solution, we were constantly evolving our approach to create a product that was not only innovative but also practical, accessible, and ready for real-world use.


Internal Hackathon and Challenges

After weeks of building and refining our solution, we were thrilled to perform exceptionally well and secure a spot in the internal hackathon, which qualified us for the next round of Smart India Hackathon 2023. This was a significant milestone, but the journey wasn’t without its hurdles.


Idea Submission and Screening Process

During the process, we encountered a series of unexpected technical challenges, the most daunting being the SIH server crashing at a critical moment. This issue disrupted our ability to register and posed a significant risk of freezing our team’s progress in the competition. The situation became increasingly stressful as the deadline loomed closer, and we realized that the slightest delay could prevent us from advancing to the next stage.

Despite the setbacks, we remained resilient. we finally managed to upload our project and all required documents on time, ensuring that every file was properly formatted, signed, and sealed as per the mandatory requirements. It was a nail-biting experience, but it taught us the importance of staying calm under pressure and thinking on our feet.

This phase tested not only our technical skills but also our ability to work as a team and adapt quickly to unforeseen challenges. Overcoming these obstacles made our victory even sweeter, and we were more than ready for the next round.


Finalist Announcement and Nodal Center

The moment we had all been waiting for finally arrived—our idea was selected as one of the top 5 in the Smart Vehicle problem statement! The announcement was a mix of excitement and disbelief as we realized that all our hard work had paid off, and we had made it to the finals of Smart India Hackathon 2023. But as the adrenaline kicked in, the next challenge emerged: preparing for the Nodal Center and booking our travel tickets.

Our Nodal Center was located in Hyderabad, which, coincidentally, was during the peak of the festival season. With travel bookings at their busiest, securing tickets was no small feat.

However, we managed to secure our travel tickets and embark on the journey. Despite the festival rush, we successfully made it to the city two days prior to the hackathon, giving us some much-needed time to acclimate and prepare for the intense days ahead.


Traveling and Exploring

During our two-day stay in Secunderabad, we took the opportunity to explore some of the city's iconic landmarks, including the majestic Charminar. The historic monument, with its stunning architecture, was a sight to behold. We also indulged in the local flavors, savoring the delicious Hyderabadi Biryani, along with other street food delights like Samosas and Irani Chai, making our trip a perfect blend of culture, history, and culinary exploration.

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24 Hours Before Hackathon

As the clock ticked down, we shifted into high gear, preparing for both the best and the worst-case scenarios. We knew that the next 36 hours would be intense, so we made it a priority to get a good night’s sleep before diving into the hackathon. Our preparations were thorough—addressing potential network issues and ensuring that everything was in place to avoid any surprises during the competition.

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We also took time to check in on the rooms assigned by the management at the college, making sure that everything was set for a comfortable and productive environment. After a quick tour of the facilities, we gathered in the college hostel for a hearty dinner, fueling up for the long hours ahead. With everything in order and the team in high spirits, we felt ready and focused for the challenge that lay before us.


36 Hours of Intensive Coding

The next 36 hours were nothing short of exhilarating. From the moment the hackathon began, the pace was intense. It was a whirlwind of coding, brainstorming, and collaborating—where every minute counted. As the hours ticked by, our team worked non-stop, putting our knowledge to the test while refining our project. But it wasn't just about coding; it was about the experience.

Throughout the hackathon, we interacted with teams from across the country, exchanging ideas, networking, and learning from one another. Each conversation brought new perspectives, and every connection was an opportunity to grow. Speaking with other teams, we learned not just about different approaches to problems, but also about the various ways in which innovation can flourish in different minds.

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The real value of the hackathon wasn't necessarily about winning; it was about the learning, the experience, and the connections made along the way. The knowledge we gained, the friendships we forged, and the moments of inspiration shared with others made the 36 hours truly unforgettable.


Conclusion

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success."
~ Albert Schweitzer

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