From the day of its inception, Robocon jr ,was a centre of curiosity among the school students across Maharashtra. After achieving huge success in first ever Robocon junior in 2014, it was a big challenge for the MIT VGS family to keep up the reputation and going beyond. The entire team from VGS Pandharpur, VGS Solapur, VGS Barshi along with the enthusiastic, blooming young engineering students and Professors from MIT Academy of Engineering Alandi put their joint efforts to make this event a grand success. The Vent was hosted by Vishwashanti Gurukul Scholl Pandharpur with support from MIT Academy of Engineering College (MIT and Doordarshan. During the first meeting conducted on October 6, 2014 in VGS Pandharpur the Roadways of this event was prepared. The technical and administrative committees were constituted under the Guidance of Mrs. Swati Karad Chate (Executive Director) and Dr. P.N. Prasad (Project Director Academics). Under the leadership of Dr. Prasad the entire VGS family devoted themselves to the marketing campaign and achieved the target of exposing robotics culture to 533 students across Maharashtra from 26 different schools After the registrations done, the technical team from MIT Academy of Engineering College, Alandi (MITAOE) and the VGS, Pandhapur conducted 12 Boot Camps at varous places – giving them the guidelines on making basic mechanical Robots, arena description and the task that the robots have to perform during the event.
All these efforts at different level was to achieve the MOTTO set by Honourable P.M. of India Mr. Narendra ModiJee the motto of “ Make in India”. Robocon Jr. 2015 was all set with the objectives of including understanding and appreciating robotics and automation amongst school going children. The participating category included students from grade 3 to 5 and 6 to 11. During the competition which was held on 23rd and 24th of January 2015 , participants displayed skills and enthusiasm towards the theme” BHARAT 2020 MAKE IN INDIA “. The task in the competition was to arrange the gears in the assembly unit. The event was chiared and blessed by Founder Executive President and Managing Trustee MAEER’S MIT Pune India. The chief guest for the innagural function was Ms Suhasini Yatin Shah, Director Precision Camshafts Limited, Solapur. Prof. Dr. Karad emphasized how science, religion and technology could be integrated effectively from the references of Swami Vivekananda. He also stressed on the role of young India in realizing the dream of Honorable Prime Minister. Prof Swati Karad Chate, Executive Director, MIT Group of Institutions reiterated the signicance of enormous potential the children have and how it can be channalized by referring to a 13 year Indian kid developing Brailee printer from his robotic game components. Dr Prasad, convener of the event stressed the need for right use of technology for the benefit of mankind instead of abusing it for distructive purpose. Chief guest Ms Suhasini Yatin Shah, presented with the facts and figures on how her company is supporting ‘Make in India” campaign. Prof Prabha of MITAOE had taken the entire gathering into the journey and emergence of Robocon Jr event. During the valedictory function on 24th of January 2015, Dr Alok Mukherjee, Head Robotics Division, DRDO, Ministry of Defence (Govt of India) & Vice President –Robotics Society of India, gave a wonderful presentation on how robotic technology especially robots that are indigenously manufactured in India, employed in defence ministry in various contexts. Participants were activley involved in Q & A session once the presentation was completed. The chief guest Dr. Alok Mukherjee had also complemented and thanked Mrs. Swati Karad Chate for starting such an exceptionally great event at such a small place like Pandharpur. In the closing remarks, Dr. Prasad appreciated the efforts and support by every individual during the course of this Mega event. He thanked the participants for their overwhelming enthusiasm and excitement to participate in the next Robocon jr. without even announcing the dates. The winners of the competition were: Junior category: First position- Darsheel Desai and Nikhil Desai from Mumbai. Second position - Rishith Desai and Sahil Desai from Mumbai Best creative Robot design award was given to Ashmika Kothadia from Vishwashanti Gurukul, Pandharpur. In senior category: First position - Abhishek Khatavkar and Onkar joshi from Solapur Second Position - Manoj Patil and Kaushal Eege from Aurangabad. The sponsorers of the event- Mahindra & Mahindra, Xseed, Kapoor and Co and supporters of this event the staff of Doordarshan were felicitated for their contributions. The prizes were distributed by Prof Swati Chate, Dr Alok Mukherjee, Dr Prasad, Dr Bhale Rao, Dr Mahesh, Mr Sivaprasad, Dr Rakesh Ranjan, Mr Vishnumurthy and Ms Suneetha. In addition to the Robocon event, there was a Robotics Exhibition conducted by MITAOE and Robosofts Ltd in the school premised which was very well attended and received. It was also decided and announced by Prof Swati Chate that 3rd Robocon Jr Event will be conducted in the same campus on 22nd and 23rd January.
