Mark Rober
In a world where technology often feels inaccessible and innovation is seen as a product of elite institutions, Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer turned global science communicator, is rewriting that narrative—especially in India. As part of his recent visit to the country for the WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai, Mark Rober launched an initiative that truly captures the essence of grassroots innovation: the Jugaad Contest 2025.
Drawing inspiration from the Indian concept of jugaad, which means finding low-cost, innovative solutions using limited resources, the contest is not just a competition—it’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and everyday problem-solving. With this initiative, Rober has taken a powerful step towards democratizing science and invention, ensuring that age, background, or access to high-end labs is no barrier to innovation.
What is the Jugaad Contest?
The Jugaad Contest 2025 is open to everyone aged 8 and above, welcoming students, homemakers, engineers, mechanics, artisans, and anyone with a knack for innovation. The idea is simple yet profound: use ordinary household items to solve real-world problems creatively.
Whether it’s turning a plastic bottle into a functional irrigation system, using scrap wood to build a mobile phone stand, or creating an energy-saving device from old wires and bulbs—the goal is to demonstrate that innovation doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Participants are asked to record a short video of their invention, share it on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #MarkRoberJugaad, and submit the link via the official contest website. The top ten most innovative entries will each receive a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, an amount intended not just as a reward, but as an investment in their creative potential.
Why Jugaad Matters
The term jugaad is deeply embedded in Indian culture. It represents a spirit of ingenuity that thrives despite limited resources—something seen in rural farmers who fix broken tools with spare parts, or children who repurpose toys into machines. With the Jugaad Contest, Mark Rober has not only acknowledged this tradition but amplified it on a global stage.
“Real innovation doesn’t always start in Silicon Valley,” Mark Rober shared during the contest launch. “Sometimes, the most powerful solutions come from someone in a small village using what they have to solve a big problem. That’s the kind of ingenuity we need more of in the world.”
Integration with WAVES Summit 2025
Rober’s launch of the Jugaad Contest was closely tied to his participation in the WAVES Summit 2025 held at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre. As a keynote speaker and moderator, Rober engaged with Indian thought leaders, creators, and educators to discuss how science can be made more engaging and accessible.
The contest was announced during one of the summit’s main sessions, where Rober emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and practical problem-solving. He encouraged teachers to introduce the contest in classrooms, parents to support their children’s curiosity, and creators to spread the word and participate.
This alignment between the WAVES Summit’s theme—creativity meets technology—and the contest’s core philosophy allowed Rober to send a strong message: anyone can be a problem solver, regardless of age, background, or location.
Collaborating to Spread the Message
To build momentum for the contest, Rober also collaborated with popular Indian digital influencers and YouTubers such as CarryMinati, Slay Point, Tech Burner, and Curly Tales. These creators helped promote the contest through videos and social media campaigns, engaging their massive fanbases and encouraging them to think creatively.
This smart collaboration strategy gave the contest instant reach and credibility among Indian youth, many of whom look up to these digital creators. Some even pledged to participate in the contest themselves, using their platforms to showcase their unique takes on jugaad.
Rober’s collaboration with Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya also added star power to the campaign. Together, they demonstrated how science and sports can go hand in hand—a narrative that perfectly complemented the contest’s message of applying science in real life.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Beyond the prize money and media attention, the real power of the Jugaad Contest lies in its potential to change mindsets. It invites people to look at their surroundings differently—to see problems as opportunities and everyday items as building blocks for solutions. In doing so, the contest fosters a culture where invention is not limited to labs or corporate R&D units, but is nurtured in classrooms, homes, and workshops across the country.
Educational institutions have already begun integrating the contest into their learning activities. Science clubs, maker spaces, and innovation hubs are encouraging students to experiment and build prototypes. NGOs working in rural development have expressed interest in promoting the contest among village youth, citing its ability to recognize and reward local wisdom and practical knowledge.
A Lasting Legacy
Mark Rober’s Jugaad Contest 2025 is more than just a campaign; it’s a movement. It brings to light the boundless creativity that exists within India’s population, especially among those who may never have had access to traditional platforms for innovation. By giving them visibility, validation, and financial support, Rober is helping build a new generation of changemakers.
As entries begin to roll in and stories of young tinkerers and inventive grandmothers capture public attention, the contest is proving one thing above all: true innovation knows no boundaries—it just needs a chance.
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