COVID19 Solution Challenge: PM urges people to participate in the challenge calling for people to share Technology-driven Solutions to fight the menace; Winner to Get Rs 1 Lakh

With an aim to crowd source Technology-driven Solutions to fight Corona Virus, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has launched a challenge on Coronavirus solutions on MyGov.in website. Along with preventing the spread of the virus, the COVID 19 Solution Challenge also aims to find local solutions too. Both individuals and organizations can submit their entries on the MyGov website.

PM Modi too has urged people to come forward and participate in the challenge. “Harnessing innovation for a healthier planet. A lot of people have been sharing technology-driven solutions for COVID-19. I would urge them to share them on @mygovindia. These efforts can help many. #IndiaFightsCorona,” tweeted PM Modi.

The Government says that they have been receiving inputs from individuals and companies who have developed technologies and innovative solutions, Bioinformatics, datasets, Apps for diagnosis, etc. that can be leveraged for strengthening the fight against Coronavirus in India.

Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM, has also expressed her support to the challenge “Fabulous n timely initiative by @mygovindia and @abhish18. Requesting all innovators to pls participate. NASSCOM will support fully to ensure we get the best solutions from the industry! Together we can fight this,” tweets Ghosh.

Startups, larger organizations as well as individuals have already began to submit entries. “Submitted suggestion for authorities to track and trace infected individuals for isolation, and break the virus chain, by using data from mobile operators, leveraging available GIS technology, taking due care of privacy concerns by not making information public,” tweeted Arvind Thakur, Senior Adviser to the Board at NIIT Technologies Limited.

People who give people-driven solutions from innovators across the Nation to combat this pandemic can win a cash price totaling Rs. 1.75 lakhs.

The MyGov website says that those who want to participate in COVID 19 Solution Challenge can be individuals or startups that comply with the definition of startup as notified by DPIIT order. The product or solution to be developed as part of the Challenge should have a legitimate IPR or patent, which must be in the possession of the participating individual or organization.

All entries must be sent before 31 March 2020, and must be submitted on the link provided on the MyGov website by uploading either a PDF of the document or a YouTube link of the solution. One can become part of the challenge by visiting the official Challenge page at: https://innovate.mygov.in/covid19/