Bengaluru, 9 October 2025: The Cybersmart Club of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Physical Systems), Faculty of Engineering and Technology, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Kanakapura Campus, hosted “Pitch or Ditch – The Paradox of the Sentient City”, an innovative, one-day challenge aimed at reimagining human-centric smart city solutions.

The event, held on 9 October 2025 at the 121 Seminar Hall, FET Block, brought together over 120 participants across 28 teams to explore the intersection of technology, human behaviour, and urban sustainability. The competition challenged students to conceptualise and present systemic solutions to bridge the gap between digital intelligence and human empathy in smart city design.

The ceremony commenced with the formal inauguration of the Cybersmart Club, graced by Dr. Deepak Kumar Sinha, Deputy Director – Students and Industry Relations, and Dr. Kamlesh Tiwari, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Following the unveiling of the club logo, Dr. Shajahan Basheer, Programme Head – Cyber Physical Systems, introduced the club’s mission of fostering innovation-driven learning. Prof. Puja Das, Faculty Coordinator, outlined the club’s objectives and introduced the student leadership team, emphasising the collaborative spirit that drives the initiative.

The central challenge, “The Paradox of the Sentient City – The Echo and the Pulse,” was unveiled at 10:00 a.m., followed by the event’s signature twist—the “Bowl of Doom”, which required participants to adapt their solutions to spontaneous, creativity-testing constraints.

Pitch presentations were conducted simultaneously across two venues, assessed by a distinguished jury comprising Dr. A. Rajesh, Dr. Manujakshi B. C., Dr. Jerald Nirrmal Kumar, and Prof. Vaibhav Prabhakar Raibole.

The valedictory ceremony, held at 3:00 p.m., celebrated excellence in innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving. The winners were:

• Winner: Karnata Parva
  
• First Runner-up: Lumina
  
• Second Runner-up: DoTExE
  
  

Cash prizes and mementoes were awarded to the winners and jury members in recognition of their contribution to the event’s success.

“Pitch or Ditch has set a benchmark for innovation-driven learning at the university. The event exemplified how creative challenges like the ‘Bowl of Doom’ can transform theoretical knowledge into practical, interdisciplinary problem-solving,” said Prof. Puja Das, Faculty Coordinator of the Cybersmart Club.

The event fostered analytical thinking, design innovation, and teamwork among participants while promoting a cross-disciplinary approach to solving real-world urban challenges. It also marked the establishment of Pitch or Ditch as the flagship innovation event of the Cybersmart Club, paving the way for future editions focused on emerging technology domains.