Techfest, the annual technology festival of IIT Bombay, is a unique forum where the youth of today gets an opportunity to experience and interact with science and technology in all its myriad forms. Conceived as a forum which enables interaction between students, academia and industry, Techfest has grown into an event that brings together the best from all three. A cradle for new and grand    ideas, it is gradually changing into a catalyst for change by bringing together the people who can help shape the future of technology and society. The diverse set of events conducted at Techfest 2002 (January) included Exhibitions, Competitions, Workshops and Seminars on a variety of topics pertaining to different aspects of technology.
         Distinguished guests at Techfest 2002 included Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Mr. Rajat Gupta (MD, McKinsey & Co.), Dr. Ehud Shapiro, the originator of DNA Computing (Wiezmann Institute of Science,  Israel), and Dr. P.G. Poonacha (Vice President - R&D, Sasken Technologies, Bangalore). As part of the Lecture Series, these personalities delivered insightful lectures on various aspects of technology, leadership, change and the significant role that students can play in making a constructive contribution to the nation’s development.
         Dr. Kalam’s talk was, without doubt, the biggest attraction. Speaking on India’s development and the role of the youth, Dr. Kalam stressed on the need for the future generation to use their competence and prowess in technology to transform the nation into a technological superpower. Interspersed with anecdotes from his experiences as the country’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. Kalam’s speech was filled with insights on teamwork, diligence and the importance of realizing the potential that lies within oneself.
         In his talk on Professional Development and Leadership, Rajat Gupta drew on his vast experience in consulting and his student years at IIT Delhi. He dwelt upon the importance of developing a earning mindset throughout one’s life. Distinguishing between

professional development and career development, he stressed on learning from every experience and every assignment rather than spending time gauging which assignment would be useful. Citing the importance of teamwork, he said "No matter how good you are, success is impossible unless you can mobilize the people around you. In addition to doing one’s work well, it is important to try and make a difference in the entire organization." His emphasis on giving back to society as a whole is reflected in his involvement in making the Indian School of Business (Hyderabad) a world-class institute.
        Dr. Ehud Shapiro, the head of the research team that built the first DNA nano-computer, participated in Techfest via videoconference. DNA Computing is among the most promising technologies of the future. Introducing the principle of DNA Computing, Dr. Shapiro outlined the main features of the computer, which takes DNA as input and turns out DNA as output.The nanocomputer or more aptly, the chemical computer, consists of DNA and DNA processing enzymes, both dissolved in a liquid. The inventors believe that it could ultimately lead to a device capable of processing DNA inside the human body, finding abnormalities and creating miracle drugs. In the medium term it can contribute significantly to the mammoth task of DNA sequencing.
Panorama – the R&D exhibition, was an endeavour to bring forth the major product-centric R&D activities in progress at IIT Bombay. With exhibits from various departments and research centres at the institute, this exhibition attracted the interest of the industry. Panorama also hosted the official launch of IIT Zeus Software, a state-of-the-art software package for scientific application developed by IIT Bombay. IIT Zeus will be exclusively endorsed in India by C-DAC, Pune, for promoting the usage of the software amongst research scientists and engineers in the broad areas of Fluid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Product Design and many multi-disciplinary applications.