A Graceful Beginning Rooted in Tradition
The Nation’s First Agentic AI Hackathon, AI IGNITE – Igniting Excellence, commenced on an auspicious note, setting a tone of pride, discipline, and cultural reverence.
The event formally began with the Tamiḻzẖthāi Vāzẖthu, paying homage to the Tamil language and heritage, followed by the soulful rendition of the SMVEC Anthem, which echoed the institution’s vision, values, and commitment to academic and technological excellence.
Lighting the Lamp: Illuminating the Path of Knowledge
Following the ceremonial opening, the event proceeded with the Lighting of the Lamp, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance and the ushering in of wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment.
The dignitaries and organizing members collectively lit the lamp, marking an auspicious beginning to the Nation’s First Agentic AI Hackathon, AI IGNITE – Igniting Excellence. This traditional gesture reflected the institution’s belief that innovation and technological advancement must be guided by values, clarity, and purpose.
Welcome Address:
Dr. V. S. K. Venkatachalapathy, Director cum Principal, delivered the Welcome Address and warmly greeted the dignitaries, participants, and students of the Nation’s First Agentic AI Hackathon, AI IGNITE – Igniting Excellence. In his address, he explained that Agentic Artificial Intelligence refers to advanced AI systems capable of operating autonomously by perceiving environmental data, making decisions, planning actions, and adapting based on feedback, without the need for constant human intervention.
He highlighted the wide-ranging applications of Agentic AI across domains such as customer service operations and emphasized its vital role in the manufacturing sector, where data-driven intelligence, quality assessment, creativity, and innovation are essential. Addressing the students, he stressed the importance of having strong fundamentals and domain knowledge, advising them not to focus solely on coding but to understand core concepts, particularly in manufacturing intelligence. He further noted that effective AI solutions require the integration of data, feedback, and domain expertise to achieve meaningful outcomes, and expressed confidence that hands-on laboratory exposure would greatly benefit students in manufacturing, public life management, and global health sectors. He concluded by extending his sincere and warm welcome to all participants and contributors, wishing them success in making the initiative a landmark event in India’s AI journey.
Honouring of the Chief Guest
The session continued with the Honouring of the Chief Guest, as a mark of respect and gratitude for his esteemed presence at the Nation’s First Agentic AI Hackathon, AI IGNITE – Igniting Excellence. The dignitaries of the institution felicitated the Chief Guest with a memento, acknowledging his valuable contribution, guidance, and continued support towards fostering innovation and technological excellence among students. The moment symbolized the institution’s appreciation for industry–academia collaboration and set an inspiring tone for the proceedings that followed.
Presidential Address
Presidential Address by Shri D. Rajarajan, Pro Chancellor, Takshashila University and Treasurer of SMVET. In his inspiring speech, he emphasized how Agentic AI has fundamentally transformed creativity and innovation, stating that in today’s era, vision matters more than resources. He explained that unlike earlier times, where building a software company required large teams and significant funding, today a single individual with a clear vision, a laptop, and effective communication skills can build impactful solutions using AI agents. Drawing parallels with iconic examples such as the Iron Man suit, the Taj Mahal, and Apple’s headquarters, he stressed that visionaries shape the future, while tools and technologies act as enablers. He encouraged students to embrace AI as a productivity enhancer rather than fearing it, and urged them to become visionary engineers who orchestrate solutions instead of merely executing tasks.
Special Guest Address: AI, Learning Mindset, and the Fire Within
The Special Guest Address was delivered by Mr. Harsha Kankanala, Founder of Edwisely, who shared valuable insights on AI transformation in higher education and the mindset required in the era of Agentic AI. He highlighted the distinction between the learning and career phases, introducing the concept of “NFT – Not for People”, encouraging students to focus on self-learning without seeking social validation, and later transitioning to “TFP – This for People”, where AI-driven skills are applied for societal impact. Emphasizing the rapid pace of technological change, he noted that the next few years would witness unprecedented research and innovation, making adaptability and creativity crucial. He reassured students that Agentic AI would enhance human creativity rather than replace it, and urged them to embrace AI with passion, confidence, and a strong “fire in the belly,” concluding by appreciating all participants for their efforts and innovation.
Chief Guest Address:
The Chief Guest Address was delivered by Mr. Senthil Ranganathan, CEO / President of Athena Technology Inc and Co-Founder & Director of BIG Data Real Estate Analytic System Pvt. Ltd., who shared valuable industry insights on the evolution of technology, tracing its journey from the Y2K era and automation to Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. He emphasized that AI stands apart from earlier technological waves due to its continuous learning and predictive capabilities, which are transforming sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and operations. Highlighting the significance of AI agents and multi-agent systems, he explained their role in solving complex problems and enabling scalable solutions. Encouraging students to embrace entrepreneurship, globalization, and deep technical expertise, he urged them to leverage AI to solve real-world challenges and build globally impactful solutions from India. He concluded by reassuring students that AI would not replace jobs, but would amplify human potential when combined with creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Project Presentations by the Top 8 Teams
The event continued with the project presentations by the selected Top 8 teams, who showcased the outcomes of their intensive 36-hour hackathon journey. Each team presented their innovative solutions before the jury and industry experts, demonstrating strong technical proficiency, creativity, and real-world problem-solving abilities. The presentations highlighted the effective application of Agentic AI concepts and reflected the participants’ dedication, collaboration, and technical excellence throughout the hackathon.
Prize Distribution Ceremony
The event concluded with the Prize Distribution Ceremony, celebrating the outstanding performance and innovative efforts of the participating teams. The Chief Guest and dignitaries felicitated the winners with cash prizes and certificates, recognizing their creativity, technical excellence, and problem-solving skills demonstrated during the 36-hour Agentic AI Hackathon. The ceremony not only honoured the winning teams but also motivated all participants to continue innovating and pursuing excellence in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
Photo Session
The event concluded with a photo session, capturing memorable moments shared by the Chief Guest, special guests, dignitaries, organizers, jury members, and participants. The session served as a lasting reminder of the collaborative spirit, enthusiasm, and success of the Nation’s First Agentic AI Hackathon, AI IGNITE – Igniting Excellence, marking the celebration of innovation, teamwork, and achievement.
Vote of Thanks
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. J. Madhusudanan, Professor and Head, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, SMVEC. In his address, he expressed his sincere gratitude to the management, Chief Guest, presidential dignitaries, industry expert judges, faculty coordinators, organizing committee members, volunteers, and all participating students for their wholehearted support and cooperation. He acknowledged the collective efforts that contributed to the grand success of AI IGNITE – India’s First National Agentic AI Hackathon, and formally declared the event concluded on an inspiring and celebratory note.
Closing Ceremony: National Anthem
The programme concluded with the ceremony ended on a respectful note with the National Anthem, marking a patriotic closure to the event.
