Vijayawada Students Shine at IIT Bombay Techfest
On December 22, 2025, students from Vijayawada made their mark at Techfest 2025, Asia’s largest science and technology festival, held at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. This three-day event showcased the talents of students from various premier institutions across the country, and the achievements of the Vijayawada team stood out remarkably.
Outstanding Performance by Local Students
Among the participants were siblings Manish Bayana, a 10th-grade student, and Ketana Sri, a 6th-grade student. Both students trained rigorously at The STEM Makers, a local educational initiative in Vijayawada, and demonstrated their skills in the RoboSprint – Senior Category of the Blixathon competition.
Competition Overview
The Blixathon competition is designed to test the ingenuity and engineering skills of participants. Teams are tasked with creating robots that can perform specific functions in a competitive environment. In this case, the challenge was to design robots capable of obstructing balls pushed by the opponent team while simultaneously pushing the maximum number of balls into the opponent’s court within a three-minute timeframe. The team that successfully transferred the highest number of balls was declared the winner.
Achievements and Recognition
Competing against over 130 teams from various esteemed institutions, Manish and Ketana secured a spot among the top 32 teams. Their innovative robot mechanism earned them recognition and an award, highlighting their exceptional skills and creativity.
Training and Preparation
The siblings dedicated more than four months to training at The STEM Makers, where they received guidance from Asha Kranthi, the founder of the initiative. Kranthi emphasized the importance of hands-on experience and teamwork in engineering education. She stated, “Participation in national-level competitions like Techfest offers invaluable exposure to hands-on engineering, teamwork, and innovation-driven learning beyond traditional classroom education.”
The Role of The STEM Makers
The STEM Makers is an educational platform that aims to inspire and train students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The organization focuses on long-term training for students aspiring to compete in national and international robotics competitions. Kranthi’s mentorship has proven to be instrumental in preparing students for such prestigious events.
Future Prospects
With the success of Manish and Ketana at Techfest 2025, there is a growing interest in robotics and STEM education among students in Vijayawada. The achievements of these young innovators serve as an inspiration for their peers and highlight the potential of local talent in the field of technology.
Conclusion
The participation and success of Vijayawada students at IIT Bombay’s Techfest 2025 is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and the effective training provided by The STEM Makers. As the landscape of technology continues to evolve, initiatives like these are crucial in nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Note: The achievements of these students underscore the importance of fostering a strong foundation in STEM education and the value of participating in competitive platforms to enhance learning and innovation.
