<p>The 23rd edition of Techfest, Asia’s largest science and technology festival, was held during January 3-5, 2020. It was a hugely successful festival which attracted a large crowd and impressed one and all with it’s grandeur. It has always been an ideal platform for each and every tech-savy person, irrespective of whether the person wishes to display his expertise or gain from the intricate details about the technology on display.<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p><p>The fest comprised of a series of lectures, summits and competitions at the Institute campus as well as exhibitions by students from institutes around the world. Techconnect exhibited the development and research activities of IIT Bombay’s students. The festival witnessed exhibitions, war of robots, sessions, talks on advancement of science and technology, gaming competitions and a display of various creations and experiments.<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p><p>The major attractions this year were the lectures by the following world renowned personalities who shared their rich experience and profound knowledge:<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p><ul><li><p>Former Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay spoke on the pressing issue of environmental conservation and what steps does the youth need to take to save the world. He gave an insight on how Bhutan stood against the pollution and how the other nations could take a lead from them. <span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p></li><li><p>Vidya Balan, one of the most versatile actresses in Bollywood spoke on the topic of women empowerment in Indian cinema. She also shared her experiences from the upcoming movie on the mathematical genius, Shakuntala Devi, who was famously known as the “Human Computer".<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p></li><li><p>Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore having a varied and distinguished career as a Captain in the Kargil War, an Olympic medalist and as the Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports. Colonel Rathore spoke about the role of the youth in the growth of the nation.<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p></li><li><p>Dr V.R. Lalithambika, a leading scientist in charge of India’s first manned space mission, Gaganyaan. She spoke about space exploration and various opportunities in it.</p></li></ul><p>Exhibitions at Techfest are one of the rare avenues where you can see and experience the grandness of what the world calls modern science and technology. Following were the major attractions showcased during Techfest this year:</p><ul><li>EsoGLOVE, Singapore- It one of the world's lightest hand rehabilitation and exoskeleton devices</li><li>AeroHans, India - It is India’s first indigenous electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi</li><li>NHK Enterprises, Japan- They have built the world’s first VR time machine using the 2D photos of Tokyo from the year 1964.</li></ul><p>TechConnect - an R&D Exhibition conducted as part of Techfest with the aim of showcasing IIT Bombay's R&D achievements in reaching out to critical societal needs and industry requirements, as well as contributions to basic research. In this edition of Techfest, TechConnect showcased more than 250 exhibits by 24 different academic divisions. Some of the dislplay include models on the upcoming technology of 5G Network, Cancer Research and Solar energy. Also Student technical teams of IIT Bombay like Racing Team, Student Satellite Team and ExoFly would be presenting their projects.<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p><p>International Robowars: Techfest International Robowars is India’s Largest Robot Combat Competition with contestants from all over the globe pitting cutting edge battle robots against each other in India’s largest Robowars arena to fight for the coveted Robowars Champion Title.<span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> </span></p><p>International Micromouse Challenge, an intriguing event in which small robotic mice navigate through a complex maze using futuristic search algorithms to reach the centre of the maze in the shortest time possible.</p>