‘Design for Bharat’ Exhibition Hosted by IIT Guwahati Highlights Youth Creativity

Guwahati, Assam:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati hosted the ‘Design for Bharat’ exhibition, offering a platform for students from across Assam to showcase innovative design concepts addressing social, cultural, and technological challenges. Organised as part of a national initiative to promote youth-led innovation, the exhibition highlighted the practical application of design thinking through models, visual presentations, prototypes, and concept demonstrations. The event aimed to encourage creativity, sustainability, and problem-solving skills, reinforcing the role of design-driven solutions in nation-building.

This year’s theme, “Duality (Dwividhta)”, invited participants to explore ideas emerging from contrasts and intersections, emphasising how balanced perspectives can lead to transformative innovation. Design proposals were submitted across seven key focus areas, including health and wellness, education, transport and connectivity, agriculture, sports and leisure, safety, and sustainability. As the nodal institute for Assam, IIT Guwahati received 15 submissions, of which 13 were shortlisted after initial evaluation, with 10 teams ultimately selected to present their work at the state-level exhibition. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Pratul Chandra Kalita, Head of the Department of Design, highlighted the importance of such platforms in fostering critical thinking, creativity, and socially responsive design among young innovators.

The exhibition saw participation from representatives of industry and public institutions. Rahul Dev Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Gargya Group of Companies, attended as the chief guest, while Pranabjit Hazarika of TCPL Packaging and Neelkamal Das from the Assam State Space Application Centre were present as guests of honour. IIT Guwahati Director Prof. Devendra Jalihal emphasised the need to cultivate a strong innovation ecosystem to support inclusive growth and long-term development. Projects were evaluated by a jury comprising faculty members from the Department of Design along with invited experts, who assessed the entries based on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. Following deliberations, Priyam Jyoti Das of Golaghat Engineering College secured first place for his project on converting waste into green energy and organic fertiliser, earning the opportunity to represent Assam at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026. The second prize went to a team from North Lakhimpur University for their agricultural rover prototype, Terrabot, while the third position was jointly awarded to Partha Protim Patir of IIT Guwahati for Ad-Well and Kashyap Gogoi of Swahid Peoli Phukan College, Sivasagar, for his work on natural dye extraction using locally available plants.