The Role Of Mentorship In Competitions
Why Having A Mentor Can Make All The Difference?
Competitions have long been a platform for individuals to showcase their skills, talents, and innovations. Whether it’s in the realms of business, sports, or academia, participating in a competition can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. For young students, these competitions can be particularly daunting as they strive to prove themselves and achieve their goals. This is where mentorship plays a crucial role. Here, we will explore the significance of mentorship in the Kreativity League and why having a mentor can make all the difference.
Guidance and Expertise
Business competitions often require participants to navigate uncharted territory, whether it’s developing a business plan, perfecting a pitch, or honing a specific skill. A mentor brings invaluable guidance and expertise to the table. They can provide insights, share their experiences, and help you avoid common pitfalls. With their guidance, you can approach the competition with a well-informed strategy.
Similarly, in RoboQuest how to make a light but sturdy model with the right arms to crack the problem statement is important. How to program your robot to avoid any last-minute software glitch. The combination of right hardware with right software along with solving the hurdles right can be a skill that can be acquired during mentoring.
Building Confidence
Young participants may face self-doubt and anxiety when entering a competition. A mentor acts as a source of encouragement and support, helping you build the confidence needed to perform at your best. Their belief in your abilities can be a powerful motivator, pushing you to overcome challenges and excel in the competition.
That too the mentors coming from a huge practical experience from industry. The overall combined experience of more than 500 years, what makes the Kreativity League an unique platform. Jahan sirf jeetna nahi seekhna bhi hai
KL Community and it’s Feedback
More importantly you have peer learning, becoming the part of a KL community that has students like you from all over India. You have an opportunity to create a lifetime bond by solving others’ problems. Remember, if you help others then the world will help you.
Constructive feedback is essential for growth. Mentors & Community provide honest and constructive criticism to help you improve. They can review your work, evaluate your performance, and offer suggestions for enhancement. This feedback loop is invaluable for refining your skills and strategies as you progress through the competition.
Accountability
Having a mentor can hold you accountable for your goals and commitments. Knowing that someone is invested in your success can motivate you to stay on track and put in the necessary effort to excel in the competition. It’s a partnership that keeps you responsible and focused.
Know about your Mentors & Judges
ASTROPRENEUR
LT. GENERAL PJS PANNU (RET.)
He commanded his units on both
the Line of Control with Pakistan and on the Line of Actual
Control with China Including the highest battlefield of the
world. He is currently the FICCI (Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Chairperson of task
force on ICT modernization for Defense. He also Chairs the
Satcom (Space) Industries Association (SIA). He is a huge
proponent of innovation in aerospace defense. LT. Gen. Pannu is a former Deputy Chief of Indian
Integrated Defense Staff.
Dr. Hashima Hasan
DR. Hashima Hasan is the Deputy Program scientist for the James Webb Telescope at NASA. Dr. Hasan brings a wealth of experience and leadership, having overseen groundbreaking missions like Hubble and the iconic James Webb. She is also in education and outreach at NASA. Her dedication to science education makes her a champion for inspiring young minds.
Dr. P V Venkitakrishna
Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan graduated with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras in 1989 and 2006, respectively. He obtained his B.Tech. from Cochin University in 1983. He also holds an MBA & Post-Graduate Diploma in Production Management to his credit from Annamalai University. He started his career as Grade Scientist in 1983 in VSSC. Over the course of his career, he has contributed significantly in aerospace-related manufacturing and materials, as well as in infrastructure development. Previously, he was Deputy Director, LPSC during 2010 to 2015, and Deputy Project Director, GSLV Mk-III from 2002 to 2010. He held the post of Associate Director, VSSC before taking over as Director, ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.
Dr. Kshitij Mall
Dr. Kshitij Mall is an analog astronaut and an aerospace
research engineer at Purdue University (Cradle of
Astronauts). He commanded an analog astronaut crew in
2022. Dr. Mall’s expertise in human mars exploration and
diverse project experience with prestigious organizations
like NASA and the Mars Society showcase his innovative
spirit and dedication to pushing the boundaries of space
exploration.
Dr. C V S Kiran
Dr. C. V. S. Kiran is serving as Lead – R&D and Strategy, Skyroot Aerospace. He has Masters in metallurgy and material technology from Germany. He was bestowed with German Academic Exchange Service award for the outstanding international student. Dr. Kiran served as a principal investigator for the German Science Foundation, DFG – Research Unit. He was involved with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre a lead center of the ISRO as a Space Scientist. Skyroot Aerospace made history during November 2022 by launching India’s first private rocket into space. With over 100 scientific articles to his name, Dr. Kiran holds a research patent also.
Dr. Srimathy Kesan
Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder & CEO of “Space Kidz India” (SKI), an aerospace startup designing, manufacturing and launching nano and micro satellites in India.
19 NSLV’s ( Near Space Launch Vehicles), BallonSat’s, 3 Sub-Orbital satellites, and 5 Orbital satellites were designed, manufactured and launched by Dr. Kesan and her team, who are young adults. The orbital satellites were all launched through Indian Space Research Organization- ISRO. Notably, her guidance led to the historic launch of ‘KALAMSAT – The World’s lightest and First-ever 3-D printed satellite’ via NASA’s Terrier Orion rocket, in 2017, showcasing the ingenuity and potential of young Indian talent.
Teaching the nuances of building a BalloonSAT to the students from humble backgrounds of Seychelles, Africa, with support from UNESCO is a notable event in her career as she received accolades from the Vice President of the Country.
Furthermore, 1st time in the World, she conceived and spearheaded the “AzaadiSat” project, involving 750 rural girls from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in building and launching a satellite on 10th February 2023, symbolising empowerment and inclusivity in space exploration. This apart, a remarkable tribute to India’s Independence, Dr. Kesan conceptualised to unfurled the “Indian National flag” at 30kms near Space, garnering global recognition as a tribute to any country. Additionally, she had sent the holy book of India, the Bhagvath Gita, into space, symbolising the fusion of spirituality and scientific exploration. Dr. Kesan’s commitment to scientific education is evident in initiatives like “Young Scientist India,” Had the opportunity to meet and motivate over 1million across the globe . Moreover, her distinction as the only Indian bestowed with the Ambassador status to the top 3 research centers’ Space camps underscores her unparalleled contributions to space education and exploration. Bestowed with the rarest opportunity of being the 1st Woman from India to fly the Zero Gravity flight alongside Appolo astronaut and Moon Walker Charles Duke, 1st Woman in NASA Ms. Poppy Northcut and Private Astronaut Richard Gariett.
Invitation to share dais with the reputed Physicist Stefen Hawking is a milestone achievement. Applauded by the President and Prime Minister of India, for empowering rural girls in satellite building to fostering scientific temper among high school students, Dr. Srimathy Kesan’s journey epitomises resilience, vision, and unwavering dedication.
STEMPRENEUR
Ishan Aukta
Hello, everyone. My name is Ishan
Aukta, and I am an entrepreneur deeply passionate about fostering innovation and
supporting the growth of startups. I lead LISTENER Supreme Solution Private Limited
(Recognised Startup of Himachal Pardesh Government) , a business that specialises in
developing Super Specialised services to nurture startup ecosystems. Our focus is on
providing tailored solutions that empower early-stage ventures to navigate the complexities
of growth and sustainability. Additionally, my experience extends to working with Asset
Reconstruction Companies, where I bring a unique blend of financial acumen and a forward-
thinking approach to business. I’m committed to creating value through innovative solutions
and look forward to connecting with like-minded individuals who share a passion for
entrepreneurship.
Bhavya Madan
A visionary, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Neuphony, his journey to entrepreneurship is full of inspiration for young entrepreneurs. With a BTech in Electronics and Communication and alumnus of JIIT, he started his career with Synopsys Inc. Later in pursuit of a higher degree, he enrolled himself in Universität Passau, Germany. But to achieve his dream he left his higher education in middle and started working on Brain-Computer Interface. Despite the initial hiccups, he became successful and launched India’s First Brain Wearable EEG Headband – “The Smartwatch for Brain” and co-founded Neuphony to make its reach to the masses.
Ronak Jogeshwar
Ronak is a tinkerer, innovator, cook, biker, and occasionally a kayaker.
His making journey started with Maker’s Asylum makerspace, and a year later, he helped establish the first 10 makerspaces in schools- the Atal Tinkering Labs. At 25, he joined India’s apex innovation office – Atal Innovation Mission, housed at Government of India’s Think Tank – NITI Aayog, and is the youngest member of its founding team. At AIM, he led the ATL program with countless partners, mentors, educators, industry leaders, government partners, and students to create an ecosystem of 10,000 makerspaces in India, nurturing over 10M children.
A first-generation student, he started working at 10, fixing bikes and photocopier machines with his father to make ends meet. These early experiences of operating in a resource-constrained environment led him to Harvard University, where he works on creating innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems for developing nations.
Currently, he focuses on ideating and creating impactful programs for early-stage teams in startups, organizations, and governments by leveraging his career expertise and academic experience.
Nikki Kumar Jha
Pratiksha Pandao
Founder at IRABOT TECHED LLP, having corporate experience in Python, Machine Learning, Linux, Arduino, Raspberry Pi. The skill based technical education is always a priority for her. She worked as robotics expert at Navi Mumbai Science Foundation. She trained more than 3000+ students all over India and internationally. She believes that knowledge becomes wisdom only after it has been put to practical use.
Krishna Singh
Krishna is a Partner at Synergy Consulting and specializes in Project Finance and Infrastructure Advisory. With around 14 years of experience in the structuring and financing of projects in Africa, Middle East and South Asia. He has led and managed transactions across power, water, wastewater, waste management, district cooling etc. Prior to Synergy Consulting, Krishna worked with IFCI and Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Krishna has completed his MBA from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta, India and B. Tech. – JSS Academy of Technical Education, Uttar Pradesh Technical University, India
Soumya K Sahoo
Mr. Soumya k Sahoo, a dynamic alumnus of both IIT Kharagpur and IIM Lucknow, has been associated with India’s most iconic unicorns, such as Delhivery and BigBasket, during their initial years. With a visionary approach, he ventured into the logistics ecosystem, driven by a passion to revolutionize the industry. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to collaborate with cutting-edge startups across Eastern India, particularly in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, where he played a pivotal role in reshaping logistics solutions.
Not content with simply contributing, Mr. Sahoo has now spearheaded his own venture, Katakly.IN, with a bold mission to create meaningful and transformative impact within the Indian logistics landscape. His relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence positions him as a key player in driving the future of logistics in India.
Rajeev Agrawal
An IIT Kharagpur alumnus, Selected for the prestigious one-year STP at Stanford University. He has a
vast experience of more than 15+ years of being an educator and entrepreneur and also, he has
impacted 5,00,000+ students, 5,000+ teachers across schools in India. He has provided free
education to 4,000+ underprivileged meritorious students, many of them are studying/working in
the top colleges/companies of the world. Under EDUVERSE, he has created a unique ecosystem of
companies that include Edudigm, STEMpowered, MentorsFirst, XamFit. He is also a member of
management Board Member of Don Bosco School Kharagpur, and mentor at down town Ventures
Lab, Assam & Finatics.
Vinay
Vinay is an Entrepreneur, Data Scientist, and Sustainable Living advocate. Earlier worked
with the Government of India’s Atal Innovation Mission at NITI Aayog, he holds a Chevening
CRISP Fellowship from Oxford University and a fellowship in Sustainable Living from
Bhoomi College, Bangalore. An IIT Kanpur graduate in Mathematics and Scientific
Computing, with a passion for data science and innovation, he’s adept at crafting resilient
systems that integrate nature-centered approaches with technology. Vinay’s commitment to
harmonizing growth and sustainability, coupled with his multifaceted expertise, positions him
as a catalyst for positive change at the confluence of innovation and environmental
consciousness.
Manoj Kumar
An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, Mr. Manoj Kumar is a multifaceted professional with expertise spanning aerospace, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. With over a decade of experience at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), he has been at the forefront of critical defence projects, including Tejas and AMCA, where he emerged as a pioneer in 3D harness routing for aircraft systems a feat that revolutionized the design and functionality of India’s most advanced fighter jets. Not one to rest on laurels, he enhanced his aeronautics mastery through specialized certification courses in aircraft design and development from IIT Madras. Driven by a passion for innovation and growth, he turned to entrepreneurship, undertaking advanced management training at the Hindustan Management Academy (HMA), which served as the springboard for his next venture. With a bold vision to empower India’s youth, he launched a state-of-the-art training institute in Gorakhpur, focused on equipping young minds with cutting-edge skills in design and manufacturing. His commitment to shaping the next generation of talent is only matched by his keen interest in emerging technologies. As part of IIT Kanpur’s AI & ML drive, he contributed significantly to HSBC’s fraud detection systems, leveraging AI/ML to tackle complex challenges in fintech.
Rubi Prasad
She is a dedicated educator and STEM professional with rich experience in teaching and
training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In addition to her
educational roles, Rubi exhibits entrepreneurial qualities through her leadership in
developing and implementing innovative STEM programs. She is passionate about the
transformative power of robotics, STEM, and AI education, believing that hands-on learning
and innovative teaching methods can inspire students and equip them with essential skills
for the future. Currently, she is a Design Thinking and Technology Mentor at various
schools, where she continues to innovate in STEM education. Throughout her career, Rubi
has successfully trained over 4,000 STEM innovators, instilling a love for science and
technology in students. As a Robotics enthusiast, she holds a certification in Robotics from
TinkRworks, USA, and further, she is also developing her skills in Artificial Intelligence from
the eminent faculty of IIIT-Delhi.
ROBOQUEST
Akshaya Bhatia
Akshaya Bhatia has varied overall experience of nearly 35 years in the field of
Information Technology , enterprise architecture, project and product management in
the corporate sector.
Currently, he is working in capacity of the Startup mentor as an entrepreneur.
He is globally well known for his expertise in innovation in business processes
particularly by application of technology.
He has been certified a Gem mentor by Niti Aayog, Government of India, for years
22, 23, 24 . He has been working voluntarily pro bono for the AIM (Atal Innovation
Mission) as Regional Mentor of Change.
Arpit Shukla
Experienced Educator specializing in K-12 STEAM education, dedicated to empowering students with cutting-edge technologies for future careers.
With a proven track record of guiding and mentoring over 3,000 students across 5 schools and various national and international events, I excel in developing innovative curriculum and training programs based on Design Thinking approach. Currently serving as a Training Head and Curriculum Developer in DY Patil School.
Jay Kishan Singh
Jay Kishan Singh is a seasoned engineer at Havells India Limited, specializing in firmware, hardware, and automation. With a strong background in embedded systems and a passion for innovation, he has significantly contributed to integrating various technologies. His expertise spans multiple domains, including robotics, hardware design and automation.”
Md. Shahnawaz Ali
B.E in ECE with more than 6+ years of experience in Training and Software Development.
Expert in teaching Robotics, Coding, AI and Python.
Proficient in web application development with Python along with Django framework with relational database.
Vaibhav Joshi
Rajat kesarwani
Rajat is a highly skilled Robotics Engineer and Trainer with over four years of experience in the educational sector. His journey in robotics began with college placements as an innovation Engineer and a passion for technology and innovation, which he has successfully translated into a thriving career in education. Working in schools, Rajat has been instrumental in designing and implementing robotics curricula that engage and inspire students from various age groups. His hands-on approach to teaching allows students to explore complex concepts in a simplified and accessible manner, fostering a deep understanding and love for robotics.
Shiv Sharma
Anubhav Shriwastava
Anubhav Shriwastava is a dynamic and accomplished professional, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Swaroop.ai since January 2024. With a robust background in engineering and technology, Anubhav has demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical skills across various roles in his career.
Anubhav’s journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from G.H. Patel College of Engineering and Technology. His academic foundation paved the way for numerous internships that honed his expertise and versatility. Notably, he has served in roles such as Embedded Firmware Engineer at Virani Dynamics, Embedded Firmware Intern at Electrify Services, and Embedded Engineer Intern at Revamp Moto. These experiences allowed him to develop a deep understanding of embedded systems and firmware development.
Devansh Raghav
to fostering a stimulating learning environment. He is also an expertise in effective teaching
methodologies and resolving complex subject matters. Ha has organized a 15-day Certificate Course
on Digital Marketing and Advanced Excel, software Project in charge for BBA at Ideal Institute of
Management & Technology.
Aditya Rathore
experience in teaching electronics, robotics, 3D designing, AI/ML, and IoT. He
has completed his B.tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Known for
their ability to simplify complex concepts, they have helped students excel in various
technological fields. Alongside their teaching, Aditya is proficient in PCB design and
possesses a strong command of electronics.
Last year, under his guidance, their students won several competitions, including a
prestigious victory in the senior category at the national level of IIT Bombay’s
Kreativity League. This year, Aditya returns to the competition as a judge, eager to
witness the innovative solutions brought forward by the participants.