Buildthon’24 was a two-day innovation summit held in Nashik, uniting over 800 participants across tech, design, and entrepreneurship to reimagine the Kumbh Mela through AI, sustainability, and cultural insight. It featured global experts, workshops, and showcases, setting the stage for an AI-First Kumbh 2027.
Buildthon’24
A Tech-Driven Confluence for the
AI-First Kumbh
In Collaboration With Our Ecosystem & Organizing Partners
Keynote Talks
Dr. Praveen Gedam, IAS – Divisional Commissioner, Nashik
Dr. Gedam launched the Kumbh AI Bot, drawing from his 2015 Kumbh experience. He emphasized the power of technology-led governance in public sectors like health, education, and agriculture, and how large-scale events like the Kumbh offer opportunities for smart, AI-driven solutions.
Ms. Snehal Khedkar and Ms. Shilpa Dahake - Socio-Cultural Ecologies of Godavari Ghat
Explored the socio-cultural ecologies of the Godavari River in Nashik, its evolution over time, and the impact of events like Kumbh Mela on the river’s ecosystem, highlighting significant changes in water quality and public health concerns
Prof. Ramesh Raskar – MIT Media Lab
A pioneer in computational imaging, Prof. Raskar introduced the vision of the AI-First Kumbh Mela 2027. He discussed how AI, decentralization, and data platforms can elevate spiritual gatherings, improve crowd management, and serve as a testbed for tech innovation.
Prof. Ajit Jaokar – University of Oxford, AI Researcher
A specialist in AI and edge computing, Prof. Jaokar explored the ethical dimensions of AI in public infrastructure and emphasized the potential of grassroots innovation in India shaping global AI narratives.
Mr. Ajay Bohora – Founder, Spiritual Tech Advocate
Ajay proposed the concept of “Spiritual Tech,” envisioning how AI can make spiritual experiences immersive, personalized, and accessible. He positioned the AI-First Kumbh as an opportunity for India to lead globally in fusing spirituality with technology.
Mr. Chris Pease – Global Event Strategy Consultant
Drawing parallels with the Olympics, he spoke on logistics, resource planning, and data flow, showing how large-scale global event strategies can be adapted to optimize the Kumbh Mela’s scale and impact.
Breakout Sessions
Health Tech
Transforming public health with cutting-edge innovations and safety solutions for a healthier, more resilient future.
People Tech
Revolutionizing the pilgrim experience and ensuring efficient, safe crowd management through advanced technologies and smart solutions.
Food Tech
Solutions for sustainable food managemnent and distribution.
Reimagining Kumbh
Rethinking the Kumbh experience using storytelling, tech integration, and decentralized intelligence.
Sustainability
Environmental planning for waste, water, energy, and sustainable infrastructure design.
Keynote Talks
Mr. Amit Bohora – HealthTech Entrepreneur
Explored India’s $1 trillion HealthTech opportunity, showcasing the journey from startup to billion-dollar exit. Covered trends in telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and med-tech infrastructure.
Mr. Vilas Shinde – Agritech Leader
Discussed the importance of tech-enabled value chains in agriculture, calling for better infrastructure, digital tools, and farm-level innovation to empower small farmers.
Ms. Maya Sherman – AI Literacy Advocate
Focused on AI for the masses, especially informal workers. Advocated for AI literacy, ethics, and privacy awareness, and proposed a curriculum to prepare SMEs and blue-collar workers for an AI-driven future.
Mr. Santanu Bhattacharya – AI Strategist
Outlined a roadmap for the AI-First Kumbh 2027, highlighting its potential as a data-driven innovation lab. Focused on infrastructure, real-time systems, and startup opportunities.
Mr. Pravin Pal – TATA Group
Spoke about industrial collaboration, innovation strategy, and the role of corporate mentorship and support ecosystems in national innovation missions.
Google CodeLabs Workshop
Led by Mr. Vijay Jangamashetti, this hands-on session helped participants build concept AI applications using Google’s Gemini tools, guiding them through setup, usage, and deployment with practical tutorials.
Show-and-Tell: Team Demos & Startup Displays
The Show-and-Tell session featured final team demos and startup product displays, highlighting innovations in HealthTech, civic tech, and sustainability. Participants presented their solutions, received expert feedback through tableside mentoring, and gained insights for real-time improvements, fostering a collaborative and growth-driven environment at the conclusion of Buildthon.
Participation Insights
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