SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
KARSTEN MIRANDA
In a remarkable display of talent and perseverance, two students from Goa have etched their names in global robotic history by securing top honours at the prestigious AI Robo City Challenge in Dubai. Vedang Anay Kamat of Saraswat Vidyalaya High School, Mapusa and Usha Kumawat from The Progress High School, Panjim outshone participants from over 60 nations, proving that Goan excellence can shine on the world stage. They secured first place in their respective categories, junior (for the boy) and senior (for the girl).
“We are immensely proud to announce that Vedang and Usha emerged as world champions in their respective categories, showcasing extraordinary skills in coding autonomous robots,” beamed the management of Saraswat Vidyalaya High School. Their remarkable journey began months earlier at the Codeavour 5.0 Goa regionals hosted by Saraswat Vidyalaya
on March 10.
For Usha, a class 9 student, whose father is a tile fitter and mother a housewife, this success was a dream that almost didn't happen. When her teacher Maya Kamat first formed the school's robotics team, Usha was hesitant, believing robotics was a domain for boys adept at video games. However, she soon realized it was practice, not gender that determined robotic prowess.
Her talent shone through at the Codeavour regionals, where she secured the third rank, trailing just behind Vedang's second place. This paved their way to the national finals in Gurgaon on April 6, where they replicated their stellar performances. Usha has been part of Coding and Robotics Education in Schools Scheme.
In this latest tournament, Usha's journey was made possible by the extraordinary efforts of her teacher, Maya Kamat who launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised over Rs 1 lakh from well-wishers across Goa.
It is a dream come true for this young girl to have crossed all hurdles and won at the highest stage, competing against multiple international teams to claim the gold medal. Her path was littered with challenges - from getting her documentary paperwork in order for the Dubai trip, to raising funds for travel and sustaining rigorous practice sessions.
The crowdfunding campaign struck a chord with Goans, who contributed wholeheartedly to support Usha's ambitions. As a wide-eyed Usha recounts, “I was initially hesitant thinking driving robots was for boys who play video games. But soon I realized, it was about practice, not gender. I'm grateful to my teachers and all supporters for making this dream possible.”
However, Usha's journey was not without its obstacles. From inconsistencies in her documentary records like birth certificates and school bonafides, to funding constraints for the Dubai trip, she and her mentor Maya Kamat had to overcome numerous challenges with grit and determination.
The documentation issues seemed insurmountable at first, with errors in names across different identity proofs. But they persisted, getting documents re-issued where feasible and working around hurdles like the lack of parents' marriage certificates. Raising funds was another Herculean task, with the teacher spreading awareness through social media videos and pamphlet distributions.
While some elected representatives and organizations came forward with contributions, a large portion came from individual donors who were moved by Usha's pursuit of excellence against all odds. As the visa deadlines loomed and air ticket costs soared, the duo displayed unwavering resilience to make her Dubai dream a reality.
Vedang Kamat has emerged as the Global Champion of the ‘AI Robo City Challenge’ at Codeavour 5 International, held in Dubai on May 4 and 5. In a remarkable feat, Vedang's robot was the only one in the Junior category to successfully complete all 11 tasks within five minutes. Two of these tasks required advanced machine learning, where blocks had to be scanned under a camera and correctly identified for their drop points. Vedang secured the global championship with an impressive score of 340 points in the Junior category.
Previously, Vedang had demonstrated his prowess in competitive robotics by participating in the Bebras Challenge, where he earned the 21st rank across India. This achievement earned him recognition and felicitation from the Chief Minister of Goa. He later showcased his talent at the Goa International Robotics Festival 2024 during the Showtime event.
Vedang's innovative spirit was also recognized at the Global Tech Summit Goa 2024, where his robot won the ‘Best Innovator of the Year’ award at the Robot Showcase hosted by Team GoaTronics. His journey to the global stage began with a triumph at the Goa regionals of Codeavour 5 on March 10, securing first place. He then advanced to the nationals on April 6, where he won second place, paving the way for his ultimate victory at the international level.
Vedang Kamat's achievements reflect his exceptional skill, creativity, and dedication to the field of robotics, making him a shining example of the courage and innovation celebrated in such competitions.
Their inspiring tale highlights how the combination of talent, dedication, and community support can elevate individuals to extraordinary heights. As Goa celebrates the stellar achievements of Vedang and Usha, their triumph serves as a beacon of hope - that with unrelenting perseverance and the right backing, no ambition is too lofty.
In the ever-evolving technology realm, their mastery over autonomous robotics bodes well for India's next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. From the humble lanes of Goa, these students have etched their names alongside the world's finest in the field, bringing great pride to their tiny but talent-rich state.
The students received accolades from all quarters in and outside Goa ever since the results were announced.
