In a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere at IIT Kanpur, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival. The festival, a symbol of youthful energy and innovation, opened its doors to thousands of students, technocrats, and aspiring entrepreneurs, offering them a platform to showcase creativity and technological brilliance.
During an engaging Fireside Chat, General Chauhan shed light on the growing need for modernisation and technological advancement in the Indian Armed Forces. Speaking candidly, he emphasised how the future of warfare is no longer limited to traditional battlefields but is rapidly expanding into cyber space, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cognitive warfare. His words carried a sense of urgency but also a message of hope, encouraging the youth to prepare themselves for these emerging challenges and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s defence and development.
The General’s address resonated deeply with the young audience, which included scholars, students, and NCC cadets. He passionately spoke about the timeless values of discipline, resilience, courage, and sacrifice — qualities that define both the Armed Forces and every individual striving to make a difference. His heartfelt appeal motivated many to look beyond conventional career paths and consider contributing to the nation’s security and technological growth.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of other eminent personalities, including Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AOC-in-C, Central Air Command, and Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur. This year’s theme, “Panta Rhei” — a Greek phrase meaning “Everything Flows” — beautifully captured the spirit of constant change and innovation that defines the modern world.
Adding to the festival’s uniqueness, a special Defence Expo, ‘Rakshakriti,’ was curated as a key highlight of the event. This segment showcased cutting-edge defence technologies, underlining the growing synergy between India’s armed forces, academic institutions, and defence industries. General Chauhan also took time to interact personally with budding technologists, fostering a meaningful dialogue on how academia and industry can collaborate to develop indigenous solutions like autonomous drones and next-generation security systems, thereby reducing dependency on imports and strengthening national security.
Techkriti 2025 is set to be more than just a festival — it is a celebration of ideas, innovation, and collaboration. The inspiring words and presence of General Chauhan served as a reminder that the future of the nation lies in the hands of its youth, who have the power to shape a safer, stronger, and technologically empowered India.
