Robocon 2015 From the day of its inception, Roboconjr, 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

(ExecutiveDirector) 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 were to achievethe 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 chaired and blessed by Founder Executive President and Managing Trustee MAEERS

MIT Pune India. The chief guest for the inaugural 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 KaradChate, Executive Director, MIT Group of Institutions reiterated the

signicance of enormous potential the children have and how it can be channelized 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 Prabhaof 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 KaradChate 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 creativeRobot design award was given to AshmikaKothadia from Vishwashanti Gurukul, Pandharpur.

In senior category: First position - AbhishekKhatavkar and Onkarjoshi from Solapur

Second Position - Manoj Patil and KaushalEege 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.