The twelfth edition of the annual technology festival TechKnow 2025 at Delhi Public School Srinagar concluded today with the unveiling of a humanoid robot developed by students in the school’s ATAL Robotics Lab, marking a high point in the Valley’s growing culture of innovation.
Organised by CyberCrew, the school’s technology club, the two-day festival drew over 330 participants from more than 30 schools across Kashmir. Students engaged in a wide range of hands-on workshops covering artificial intelligence, app development, robotics, web development, programming, video editing, graphic design, game development, and digital marketing. Each workshop blended presentations with live demonstrations, quizzes, and do-it-yourself exercises, ensuring not only conceptual clarity but also a strong sense of applied learning.
The closing ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganaie. The Chief Minister commended the school for creating a truly inclusive platform by inviting participation from government schools as well as private institutions. He reflected on the significance of artificial intelligence in governance, emphasising that ethics must remain central as technology advances.
The highlight of the ceremony was the humanoid robot named Shafat, developed under the mentorship of Shafat Majeed Lone. The robot walked onto the stage to deliver an address, reflecting on human creativity, imagination, and thought as the foundations of innovation in an increasingly machine-driven world. The demonstration drew loud applause and became a talking point among participants and guests alike.
The school principal said the festival was designed not only to foster innovation but also to nurture leadership, teamwork, and confidence among students. “Most importantly, it instils in them the belief that they can imagine an idea and turn it into reality,” she said. The chairman added that private schools should take up the responsibility of extending meaningful support to nearby government institutions to ensure inclusivity and real upliftment in the education sector.
