Andhra Pradesh: Team Path Finders from MRCE, Faridabad, were crowned Imagine Cup 2013 national winners for their project Swasthya Sanjivani which aims to provide affordable, approachable quick and automised healthcare services to people in remote areas. The team will represent the country at the worldwide finals, to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia in July, of Microsoft's premier student technology competition.Team Opus and Team Rudder Mechanics won the runners up prize in the Innovation and World Citizenship, respectively.

Imagine Cup is the world’s most prestigious student technology competition, which brings together innovators from all over the world.

An extremely enthusiastic Nikhil Dalmia from Path Finders, speaking on behalf of the team including members Pritam Singh, Prashant Gupta, and Hardik Garg said, “This is amazing! We’re running out of words to express ourselves as, this is a lifetime opportunity that we’ve achieved. There is real potential on the road to St. Petersburg for start-up ventures and as well as a great opportunity to create an impact in society!”

The Imagine Cup, now in its 11th year, saw registrations from over 14,000 students across India and over 5,000 competitors under the two categories of World Citizenship and Innovation. The competition aims to expand the focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Each year, Indian students participating in Imagine Cup show remarkable leadership in adopting new technologies and championing social transformation. The quality of the apps on show from all finalists highlights the huge possibilities to be gained by inspiring students to innovate on the newest and broadest technology platforms such as Windows 8, Windows Phone and Windows Azure.” said Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Ltd.

“Microsoft programs like the Imagine Cup, which help foster a spirit of social and technological entrepreneurialism are crucial to India’s economic growth and help students build skills today that will advance their careers.” he added.

Som Mittal, President, Nasscom, the chief guest at the event, said, “Compliments to Microsoft for this very innovative program of Imagine Cup. It surely kindles the spirit of imagination and innovation very early in the life of these young minds. I am sure many of the solutions created would translate into entrepreneurial ventures. Best wishes to the winners at the finals.”

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