logo
Mark Rober's Spark of Innovation Lights Up Indian Youth with ₹50 Lakh Jugaad Challenge

Mark Rober's Spark of Innovation Lights Up Indian Youth with ₹50 Lakh Jugaad Challenge

Business Upturn16-05-2025
India has always been a land of jugaad—clever, low-cost innovations born out of necessity and pure imagination. And now, that spirit has found its global spotlight, thanks to none other than Mark Rober, the YouTube superstar and former NASA engineer who's made backyard science a global phenomenon. In his maiden visit to India, Rober isn't just meeting fans—he's unlocking a wave of grassroots creativity with his ambitious ₹50 lakh 'Jugaad Innovation Contest.'
Rober's visit has quickly evolved into a cultural and scientific phenomenon. He's toured cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, connecting with students, creators, and DIY innovators. At each stop, his message is simple but powerful: Science is for everyone—especially when it's fun. It's this very mindset that fuels the contest he's launched specifically for India: a mission to uncover the country's most original, mind-bending inventions using nothing but everyday items.
The #MarkRoberJugaad contest, open from April 30 to September 15, 2025, is inviting Indian residents aged 8 and above to post a video of their unique homemade solution on Facebook, Instagram, X, or YouTube. Whether it's a bottle cap fan or a makeshift washing machine powered by a cycle, creativity is the only currency here. Contestants must ensure their social media profiles are public, and most importantly, submit their video link at www.markroberjugaad.com—as posting alone doesn't qualify as an entry.
But this trip isn't just about competitions. Rober is truly immersing himself in Indian creator culture. In Mumbai, he visited the studios of CarryMinati, India's roasting king, for a wild video where science meets sarcasm. In Delhi, he filmed with Tech Burner, breaking down the secret tech behind India's best jugaads. In Pune, he joined forces with Mr. Indian Hacker for one of the most explosive, large-scale experiments the internet has ever seen—think water rockets, explosive rice cookers, and gravity-defying machines made from scrap.
Meanwhile, a flavorful adventure unfolded with Curly Tales, where Rober explored Indian street food science, turning pani puri into a molecular gastronomy experiment. And with Slay Point, viewers can expect a hilarious deep dive into everyday Indian life, peppered with unexpected scientific solutions to common problems.
Perhaps the most unexpected collaboration is his special episode with Indian cricket star Hardik Pandya. Together, they analyzed the physics of swing bowling, tested bat angles, and even built a device to measure reaction time. 'This isn't just about cricket,' Rober said. 'It's about showing how science powers everything we love.'
Rober's presence also shook up India's educational landscape when he made a surprise appearance at the Summit of Future at Jain University in Kochi. As a key guest at the RoboVerse exhibit, Rober explored India's rising potential in robotics, coding, and STEM education. Students at the summit got a chance to interact with robot dogs, AI-led tech labs, and Mark himself. 'This is the most energized I've ever felt in a student environment,' he remarked during his keynote.
Behind all the cameras and collaborations, Rober's goal is deeply personal. Through his company CrunchLabs, he has long promoted STEM learning through play and creativity. With India's rich culture of improvisation and resourcefulness, he saw a natural partnership. 'Jugaad is engineering in its purest form,' he shared. 'You don't need a lab or funding—just imagination and a little bit of duct tape.'
The contest will crown ten winners, each receiving ₹5 lakh and the chance to feature in a global video alongside Mark Rober. The judging panel will consider creativity, functionality, and the cleverness of how household materials are repurposed.
With videos pouring in daily, and Indian youth now dreaming in cardboard, motors, and string, this visit is achieving more than just viral views. It's creating a shift in how science and creativity are seen—not as subjects or careers, but as tools for daily life. Rober's India chapter is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: he came for innovation, and he found a nation overflowing with it.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): 'This Stock Should Be Up Much More,' Says Jim Cramer
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): 'This Stock Should Be Up Much More,' Says Jim Cramer

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): 'This Stock Should Be Up Much More,' Says Jim Cramer

We recently published . Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Cramer regularly discussed tech mega-cap Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) ahead of its earnings. The firm's shares have reversed course in July and are up by 1.9% year-to-date, primarily due to July's 9.9% gain. Before the report, Cramer was explicit in sharing that he regretted selling Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)'s stock. This time, he discussed the firm's businesses and shared that the stock should be higher after the earnings: [GOOGL]'[On earnings report] Yeah, look cloud was important. I think the big focus is frankly, uh, that paid clicks picked up 4%. I mean I was thinking paid clips might be down, I was worried that I felt that this was the beginning of the erosion and the cannibalization versus Gemini. That was completely wrong. YouTube up 200 million. Really, really fantastic. . . .Look the story here is this that the more chips that they get, better they're doing. They have so much demand I was quite surprised. 20 New Technology Trends for 2024 'This stock should be up much more than that. While we acknowledge the potential of GOOGL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) Has Strong Worldwide Sales, Says Jim Cramer
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) Has Strong Worldwide Sales, Says Jim Cramer

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) Has Strong Worldwide Sales, Says Jim Cramer

We recently published . Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a well-known defense contractor with a presence in the aircraft and missile industries. Its shares have gained 22% year-to-date, helped in large part by an 11% jump in July. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)'s stock soared due to its second-quarter earnings report, which saw the firm raise its midpoint full-year profit-per-share forecast to $25.20 from an earlier $25.15. The firm's $10.35 billion in revenue also beat analyst estimates of $10.07 billion. In his previous remarks about Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), Cramer called the firm catastrophic after its Q1 results. This time, he struck a different tone: 'And Northrop Grumman, for worldwide sales. So we're seeing a lot of bifurcation in a lot of different industries.' Here's what Cramer said about Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) after its Q1 results: 'Finally, there's Northrop Grumman, which was the dud of the day, reporting a severe top and bottom line miss for the first quarter, and cutting its full year earnings forecast pretty substantially. Now there's some important context here. Both the miss and the forecast cut were related to Northrop Grumman's next-generation B-21 bomber program. They're taking a hit on the higher cost as they try to ramp up production. Photo by NASA on Unsplash That said, even if you add that back, the impact from the B-21 charge, Northrop Grumman still would've missed the sales and earnings estimate. It just would've been a smaller disappointment. These Northrop Grumman results simply weren't up to snuff, so the stock had its worst day since 2008 today, falling $67 or nearly 13%. This one's now in the penalty box.' While we acknowledge the potential of NOC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

Hulk Hogan's son, Nick, speaks out on father's death: ‘Would do anything to have him back'
Hulk Hogan's son, Nick, speaks out on father's death: ‘Would do anything to have him back'

New York Post

time19 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Hulk Hogan's son, Nick, speaks out on father's death: ‘Would do anything to have him back'

Hulk Hogan's son, Nick, penned an emotional tribute to the wrestling icon, his 'hero' and his 'best friend' following Hogan's death Thursday. 'This has been overwhelming and extremely difficult,' Nick Hogan, whose real last name is Bollea, wrote in an Instagram post that featured 20 pictures of the pair spanning decades. 'Hearing so many kind words and stories about my dad's life, interactions and experiences with everyone has been incredible and comforting. My dad was the most incredible person I've ever known and will always be my hero.' 4 A young Nick Hogan (l.) and his father are pictured. Screengrab via Instagram/nickhogan Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died at 71 years old following what Clearwater, Fla. police described as a 'serious medical issue,' with a 911 call being placed Thursday morning for cardiac arrest. Hogan reportedly dealt with health issues in the weeks leading up to his death. 4 Nick Hogan (r.) poses with his father. Screengrab via Instagram/nickhogan 4 Nick Hogan (l.) poses for a picture with his father. Screengrab via Instagram/nickhogan 'I spent a lot of time with him the past few years after moving back to Florida to be closer to him and I am so grateful for those memories,' Nick Hogan wrote in his Instagram post. 'They are the best moments in my life. I would do anything to have him back but I know now that he will always be watching over me. I will always remember the lessons and advice he gave me and carry on in a way that I know would make him proud. 'Thank you for being the best dad in the world and thank you for being my best friend. I love you so much Big Dog and I will miss you forever.' 4 Nick Hogan (r.) is picured with his father Hulk Hogan Screengrab via Instagram/nickhogan Hulk Hogan and his ex-wife, Linda, shared two kids — Nick and their daughter, Brooke — together, and the couple filed for divorce in 2007. All four of them starred on the 'Hogan Knows Best' VH1 reality show from 2005-07. Nick Hogan's wife, Tana Lee, posted a picture of their wedding day in January on Instagram following Hulk Hogan's death, as tributes from around the wrestling community poured in for the polarizing individual who shaped the rise of the World Wrestling Federation.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store