उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली
Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University,
Vice Chancellors of other universities and esteemed dignitaries,
Distinguished guests, young innovators, and participants,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Smart governance is not just about policies and administration; it is about ideas that bring, real change on the ground. The Smart Delhi Ideathon 2025 is a significant step in that direction. It has provided a stage for some of the brightest young minds, to tackle pressing urban challenges with innovation, technology, and fresh perspectives.
Young friends present here,
02. You are aware that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has led the country from the front, as far as innovation is concerned. His stress on innovation and technology has not only given this sector the much required push, but is also reflected amply in the National Education Policy - 2020.
03. The same has repeatedly been supported by the Government of India, by all possible means. Start-ups, that are very close to the heart of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, have been a major thrust of the government and even in this Budget, an amount of Rs.10,000 Cr. has been allocated as fund of funds for Start-ups. This will give flight to your endeavours and serve as the wind, beneath your wings.
04. Delhi, as the capital of India, faces unique challenges - traffic congestion, waste mismanagement, air pollution, water scarcity and people’s safety, are some of them. Addressing these issues is not an option; it is a necessity for ensuring a sustainable and progressive future.
One of the greatest sons of India, Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had said:
Creativity is seeing the same thing, but thinking differently
Over the past few months, these young innovators have worked relentlessly to develop practical solutions for these problems. Today, we recognize their efforts and, more importantly, the vision they bring to the governance of Delhi.
05. Traffic congestion and parking challenges have long plagued our city. They cause delays, loss of man hours, stress, and most importantly air pollution. Among the remarkable solutions presented, a Dynamic Traffic Management System has been proposed, using artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics, to manage congestion efficiently. Another solution, Traffic Hive, aims to optimize urban mobility by synchronizing signals and providing real-time parking insights. This will ensure smoother commutes and better traffic regulation.
06. Waste Management is another pressing concern, with thousands of tonnes of garbage piling up daily. Young innovators have presented AI-driven models that encourage waste segregation at the source, incorporating smart bins, gamification, and digital incentives to encourage public participation. These solutions not only reduce landfill waste, but also transform waste into a resource for energy generation.
07. Air pollution remains one of Delhi’s greatest challenges, affecting millions of lives every day. This Ideathon has brought forward practical and scalable solutions. These include biological air purification systems using genetically enhanced algae panels, which absorb pollutants at a rate, significantly higher than traditional methods. Meanwhile, a forward-thinking initiative on electric vehicle repurposing, presents a sustainable way to convert old and unfit vehicles into cost-effective EVs. These in turn, will reduce carbon emissions and promote green mobility. To my mind, these are not distant dreams; these are practical, achievable solutions, that can redefine Delhi’s air quality.
08. Water scarcity and its inefficient management, demand urgent attention. The Ideathon has brought forth AI-IoT-based solutions for water conservation, leak detection, and optimized distribution. This will ensure that every drop of water is used wisely. One of the standout solutions, focuses on AI-powered wastewater treatment and rainwater harvesting systems. It aims at integrating real-time monitoring to improve sustainability. These innovations align with Delhi’s long-term goal of ensuring water security for every citizen.
09. Another issue that cannot be ignored is women’s safety. While various initiatives have been taken over the years, technology must play a greater role in ensuring safety on our streets and in public spaces. Ideas such as AI-integrated smart glasses with real-time distress signals and predictive crime analytics using CCTV surveillance and IoT sensors have been proposed. These ideas offer practical ways to enhance security and efficiency of law enforcement.
10. This Ideathon is not merely an event; it is a movement towards practical innovation-driven governance. The sheer quality of ideas presented here, shows that our students and young professionals are not just thinking about problems - they are solving them. The participation of academic institutions like Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and others, has ensured that this first edition of the Smart Delhi Ideathon, sets a high benchmark. Their commitment to fostering innovation and governance solutions, deserves recognition.
11. The challenge before us is to ensure that these brilliant ideas do not remain confined to presentations and discussions. Many of these solutions have the potential for real-world implementation. Always remember:
Thousands of great ideas can’t make you successful,
But execution of one great idea can change the lives of millions.
12. To the finalists, let me say this:
Winning a competition is commendable, but contributing to the progress of Delhi is the true achievement.
Each of you has taken a step toward shaping the future of this city, and that in itself is a victory. I look forward to seeing many of these ideas take shape in the coming years. I assure you that my office, along with the concerned departments, will examine the feasibility of integrating them into Delhi’s governance framework. The government remains committed to supporting young innovators, and creating pathways, for these ideas to become part of Delhi’s transformation.
13. This is the beginning of something bigger - an approach where governance, academia, and innovation come together, to build a better Delhi. Let us move forward with commitment, with innovation, and with the resolve to turn ideas into action.
मुबारक हो सीढ़ियाँ उन्हें, जिन्हें छत पर जाना है...
आसमां से आगे हैं मंजिल मेरी,
मुझे अपना रास्ता खुद बनाना है।
14. दोस्तों, मेरे ख्याल से आप में से majority students first time voters होंगे । आप सभी जानते हैं कि, कल यानी 5 फरवरी को दिल्ली विधानसभा का चुनाव है।
ये चुनाव दिल्ली के भविष्य के लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है।
अपने वोट से हम केवल एक सरकार ही नहीं चुनेंगे, बल्कि, अगले पांच वर्षों में दिल्ली की स्वास्थ्य, शिक्षा, परिवहन, सड़कें, सफाई, पानी की व्यवस्था तथा रोजगार की उपलब्धता, कैसी होगी, यह भी निर्धारित करेंगे। इस Ideathon में हिस्सा लेकर आप सबने दिल्ली से संवंधित इन समस्याओं का खुद ही गहन विश्लेषण किया है ।
इस चुनाव में आप सभी First Time Voters की भूमिका सबसे अलग है और सबसे महत्वपूर्ण है।
आपकी आँखों में नए सपने हैं - वह सपने जो दिल्ली के आनेवाले दशकों को संवारेंगे।
मैं आपसे अपील करता हूं कि आप आगामी 5 फरवरी को दिल्ली विधानसभा के लिए होने वाले चुनाव में अपने मताधिकार का प्रयोग अवश्य करें।
First time voter होने के नाते, यह लोकतंत्र में आपकी आस्था को भी मजबूत करेगा।
विज्ञापनों के मायाजाल से हटकर, सरकार कैसी होनी चाहिए, इसकी चर्चा भी आपके द्वारा किया जाना आवश्यक है।
मेरी अपील है कि आप 5 फरवरी को लोकतंत्र के इस महापर्व का हिस्सा बनकर, दिल्ली के विकास में अपनी भूमिका सुनिश्चित करें।
याद रहे, हर एक वोट महत्वपूर्ण है, और 5 फरवरी का दिन छुट्टी नहीं, बल्कि ड्यूटी का दिन है।
Thank you.
जय हिन्द