Pi Jam Foundation: Driving Innovation with Its Flagship Event 'Pragaash' in the Valley

Pi Jam Foundation, led by engineer-turned-educator, Shoaib Dar, is transforming education in Jammu & Kashmir, igniting innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives like 'Pragaash'.

- Shoaib Dar

With over 500,000 students empowered, across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir, it champions local solutions to global challenges. From AI-driven projects to student-led startups, the foundation is nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and impact.

1. How is Pi Jam Foundation fostering an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the valley, and how is 'Pragaash' a testament to this vision?

The Pi Jam Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to democratising 21st-century future skills in India. Over the past seven years, the foundation has empowered over 500,000 students and 5,600 educators, fostering problem-solving, creativity, and digital skills across diverse communities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Through 'Pragaash,' meaning 'the first ray of the sun' in Kashmiri, our flagship event, our vision is to ignite creativity and innovation among students in Jammu and Kashmir. Now in its second edition, the event celebrates student-driven solutions addressing local challenges. With 114 projects showcased - leveraging technologies like IoT, AI, and unplugged methods - it reflects the region's untapped potential for transformative ideas. 'Pragaash' is more than an event; it's a movement championing the role of creativity in solving critical challenges.

2. How has your work with the Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) initiative shaped the education landscape in Jammu and Kashmir?