“Hackathons are where curiosity meets courage — and learning never sleeps.”
💡 Introduction
My first hackathon experience was nothing short of unforgettable.
NexTech 1.0, Odisha’s first inter-college AI hackathon, took place at NM Institute of Engineering & Technology, Bhubaneswar, on 19th–20th September 2025 — and it was 24 hours of pure learning, teamwork, and innovation.
🧠 The Theme: Defence & Safety
The challenge — “Defence & Safety: Building Intelligent Systems for Monitoring and Threat Response for the Indian Armed Forces” — immediately caught my attention.
It wasn’t just another coding event; it was about using AI for a purpose that truly matters. Designing systems that could one day assist defence operations felt both exciting and humbling.
⚙️ The Journey
As I stepped into the campus at 7 AM, the atmosphere buzzed with energy and anticipation.
Students from colleges across Odisha had gathered — laptops open, ideas flowing, caffeine levels rising.
My team and I brainstormed ways to build AI-powered monitoring and alert systems to support real-time threat detection and decision-making.
Through the night, we coded, debugged, tested, and refined our model. Fatigue crept in, but so did determination.
I realized hackathons test more than technical knowledge — they test:
- Teamwork — how well you collaborate under pressure.
- Adaptability — how fast you respond when things break.
- Mindset — how calmly you can think at 3 AM when nothing works.
☕ The Learning Moments
Between sips of coffee and bursts of laughter, we learned to find joy in problem-solving.
We faced bugs, model errors, and tight deadlines — but every challenge was a step forward.
When we finally presented our project, it didn’t matter where we ranked. Watching other teams showcase their creativity and approaches was deeply inspiring — proof that innovation thrives where curiosity meets purpose.
🏁 The Takeaway
By morning, every line of code felt worth it.
NexTech 1.0 taught me that hackathons aren’t about winning — they’re about growing.
They spark curiosity, strengthen confidence, and remind us why we fell in love with technology in the first place.
💭 Hackathons are where curiosity meets courage — and learning never sleeps.
💬 Final Thoughts
Looking back, NexTech 1.0 was much more than my first hackathon — it was a reminder that learning happens fastest when you build together.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced coder, if you ever get the chance to join a hackathon — go for it.
You’ll come out not just with better code, but with better perspective, patience, and people skills.
✨ Have you joined your first hackathon yet? Share your experience — I’d love to hear how it shaped your journey!
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