Over 1,000 take part in Planning Commission's first Hackathon

there was an online participation too which will be judged over coming week

Over a 1,000 people participated in the first-ever ‘Hackathon’ on the 12th five-year plan that concluded on April 7.

According to an official statement, the 32-hour marathon event was held in ten locations across the country and saw a total of 217 submissions from over a thousand participants in these locations.

In addition, there was also an online participation, which will be judged over the coming week.

The competition was divided into three categories—applications, infographics and short films.

Planning Commission deputy chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and Adviser to Prime Minister, Sam Pitroda inaugurated the Hackathon on 6th April 2013.

Thereafter, Planning Commission Member Arun Maira and sectoral advisers briefed the participants via webcast. In addition, Deputy Chairman, minister of state for Planning,  Rajeev Shukla, and Secretary Sindhushree Khullar visited locations to encourage the participants.

Participants prepared a variety of content focusing on health, rural development and agriculture, urban development, energy, water and environment, and the macroeconomic framework.

Examples included health mappings, applications to compare Plan projections to actual performance, info graphics on solid waste management, infant health and malnutrition, and short films on water management and government initiatives such as the National Health Mission.