Code, Chaos and Conquer: The Journey to SIH Victory!🚀
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
These words perfectly encapsulate our journey at the Smart India Hackathon 2024. What started as a leap of faith turned into an unforgettable adventure filled with twists, turns, and triumphs. Here’s how Team 405_Resolved turned challenges into opportunities and emerged as champions.
Who Am I?
I’m Bhoomi Agrawal, a Full-stack Web Developer expanding my skills in AIML.
You can find me on LinkedIn and GitHub.
The Twist: A Problem Statement Switcheroo
Just days before the final submission, we found ourselves staring at a curveball—a sudden switch to Problem Statement 1789 - Police Hardware Inventory Management. It felt like the universe was testing us, but as they say in Hindi, "Jo hota hai acche ke liye hota hai." (Whatever happens, happens for good.)
This unexpected change became the spark that ignited our creativity. We brainstormed, adapted, and built a robust system for managing police inventory and maintenance workflows. It wasn’t easy, but innovation thrives under pressure, and so did we.
The 24-Hour Train Saga: Bonding, Brainstorming, and Inspiration
Our journey from Bangalore to Bhopal—a 24-hour travel marathon with pending tasks and overflowing ideas. But those hours weren’t just about work; they became a time of fun and camaraderie.
Between cups of chai and bursts of laughter, we got to know each other better, building a bond that would carry us through the toughest challenges. Adding a touch of serendipity, we met a senior from IISc Bangalore who shared his SIH finale story—just as Ashutosh Bhaiya from Point Blank did with us a few days before the finals.
Their golden advice? “Stay calm, stay confident, and let your hard work speak for itself.” Those words became our mantra.
Sleepless in Bhopal: Hackathon Hustle
We reached Bhopal late at night, exhausted but full of anticipation. The hackathon kicked off the very next morning at 7 AM, and from that point, it was an exhilarating rollercoaster ride with 36-hours of continuous grinding.
- Day 1:
The first mentor round at 12 noon provided invaluable insights into our project, then comes the judging round at 7 PM highlighted areas for improvement, challenging us to think bigger and align more closely with the problem statement. Another mentor round at 11 PM encouraged us to attempt even the seemingly infeasible demands. Taking their feedback to heart, we worked tirelessly through the night to implement those suggestions. - Day 2:
The 9 AM judging round brought validation. The judges appreciated our adaptability and focus, advising us to refine features and unify everything. At 1 PM, another mentor round pushed us to fine-tune every aspect of our project. However, just before the final judging round, disaster struck—our report generation feature broke, leaving us momentarily disheartened. The clock was ticking, and disappointment loomed large but we gathered all the hope and strength we had left, we dived back into the grind and managed to resolve the problem just in time.
By the time the final judging round at 6 PM arrived, we were ready. The pitch round was the grand finale—five intense minutes to summarize months of effort. Those moments felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, but we took the leap with confidence, and in the end, it was all worth it.
What kept us going through this relentless schedule? Caffeine, lots of tea, and the incredible food at the venue. We followed-"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Our Project: SurakshaSanchay
At the heart of our victory was our innovative project, SurakshaSanchay—a groundbreaking solution to streamline police hardware inventory management. With cutting-edge features, we aimed to revolutionize how resources are tracked, maintained, and allocated with features like maintenance scheduling, dynamic map-based resource allocation,voice-to-text form formatting,budget forecasting & cost analysis,multilingual interface,QR scanner for asset tracking, in app & email notifications,dynamic audit & monthly Report generation and chatbot integration.
This project wasn’t just a solution—it was a promise to enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency in law enforcement operations.
Birthday Bliss: The Perfect Gift
December 12, 2024, was already special to me—it was my birthday. The cherry on top? It also became a defining moment in my journey as a leader.
Standing before the jury with sweaty palms and three laptops in a row, I poured everything into the pitch. The smiles from the mentors and judges felt like a glimpse of victory. That day wasn’t just a celebration of another year; it became a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and growth. While we started preparing for our internal hackathon round by forming a team of six, we dreamed of winning it but were never certain that we would make it to the finals after clearing the successive two rounds. It’s rightly said…
"Zindagi mein bade mauke, chhote kadam se milte hain." (Big opportunities often come from small steps in life.)
Drumroll, Please... And the Winner Is!
After what felt like an eternity, the results were announced: “Team 405_Resolved is the winner!”
The wave of relief, joy, and pride that followed was indescribable. The sleepless nights, the chaos, the doubts—all of it melted away in that moment of triumph.
The Dream Team
Behind every success story is a team that makes it possible. I’m incredibly proud of my teammates:Kamini Banait, Prajwal KP, Shruti Sinha, Ritvik K, and Aryan Gautam.
Creativity, dedication, and teamwork were the magic that turned dreams into reality.
"Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success."
Mentors, Seniors, and Volunteers: The Unsung Heroes
A special thanks to Ashutosh Pandey Bhaiya, whose guidance and encouragement kept us grounded and motivated. To our mentor Prakhar Khare, his insights and feedback were the secret sauce of our success.
Thank you to the LNCT Group of Colleges, Bhopal, the wonderful volunteers, and the organizers of Smart India Hackathon for creating an environment that celebrates innovation and collaboration.
Lessons from the Journey: Beyond the Trophy
This victory isn’t just about winning a competition—it’s a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and teamwork. It’s proof that even in a short time, we can push ourselves to learn new things and implement them.
To Future Innovators: Dream Big, Dare Bigger
To anyone reading this, let it remind you that challenges are just opportunities in disguise. Embrace the chaos, trust your team, and never stop dreaming.As we celebrate this milestone, we’re already dreaming of the next.Last but not the least
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." – Albert Schweitzer
Here’s to many more victories, both big and small! 🎉