Vice President Jaydeep Dhangar addressed the UNESCO India-Africa Hackathon as a chief guest at Gautam Buddha University in Uttar Pradesh today at 11:00 a.m. It was inaugurated by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on November 22.
image: uia.mic.gov.in
This event was inaugurated on the 22nd of November and is an annual 36 hours event that aims at cherishing the close relationship between India and Africa. This hackathon provides a platform allowing young innovators to find solutions for social, environmental, and technical problems.
This hackathon has been organized by the Union Ministry of Education, and students from 22 African countries are participating. The African students were invited to visit the rich culture of Uttar Pradesh including the cities of Varanasi, Agra, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, etc.
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is a social coding event that brings talented individuals, programmers, and interested people together to improve and develop new software. It strives towards finding smart solutions to global problems of climate change, energy crisis, etc. It plays a key role in promoting startups.
India-Africa Relation
India and Africa share a long history, dating back as far as India’s freedom movement in the early 20th century. The pioneering role played by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa brings in the richness and the glorious connectivity between them. Post-independence, India has played a major role in promoting the decolonization of African countries at the United Nations. Independent India also performed several agreements like the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South Cooperation with African countries.
When it comes to trade and investment India’s export to Africa stood at US $ 27.7 billion and imports at US $ 28.2 billion in 2020-21. India mainly exports processed petroleum products, pearls, and semi-precious stones to Africa-India holds observer status in the African Union, which can help India play a strategic role in African politics. Many African countries are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which can play a key role in marine security.
The first ever India-Africa defense ministers conclave was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in conjunction with the defense expo in 2020.
However, the relationship between India-Africa has a long way to go. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement can open doors for better relationships between nations.
