HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, April 8: The State Innovation & Transformation Aayog (SITA) inaugurated the Automated Panipuri Vending Machine at the Janata Bhawan Canteen at Dispur on April on Tuesday. The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest Vice Chairman of SITA Narayan Chandra Borkataky along with Co-Vice Chairman Dhruba Prasad Baishya and several distinguished guests.
The project titled “An Integrated and Automated Setup for the Preparation and Vending of Panipuri” is an automated food vending solution innovated by Saurav Sarma and Abhijit Nath, Co- founders of Pekhansa Pvt. Ltd. and has kept their brand name as Panipuri Vending Machine-Golpe. This project was funded by SITA in collaboration with Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC)
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SITA Vice Chairman Narayan Chandra Borkataky in his address praised the innovative spirit behind this project, highlighting how technology can revolutionize traditional food services and help maintain quality and hygiene standards. “This initiative showcases how SITA is leading the charge towards a future where innovation and tradition come together seamlessly. We hope this will inspire further technological advancements in Assam and beyond. The youth today are incredibly talented and full of potential. They have a unique ability to think outside the box, and their creativity is a powerful tool for change” he stated. By embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, the youth can create their own career paths, solve pressing issues, and lead the way forward. Governments, industries, and educational institutions must continue to support and nurture this spirit of innovation, providing the necessary training, mentorship, and resources to help young individuals succeed in their self-employment journeys.
Dhruba Prasad Baishya, Co-Vice Chairman of SITA, emphasized the significance of such initiatives in the overall development of Assam’s innovation ecosystem. “This is a perfect example of how collaboration between government bodies and innovators can bring about transformative change. This project will not only boost local pride but also attract attention to the technological prowess emerging from Assam.”
This integrated and automated set up for preparation and vending machine will provide hygienic alternative to the customers filled with quality flavoured water from purifier. The main aim of designing and fabricating this machine is to reduce human effort during panipuri preparation vending and to provide 24×7 services to the customer. The automated vending machine ensures the hygienic preparation and serving of panipuri with minimal human intervention. With this innovation, the traditional street food is now available with consistent quality, enhanced convenience, and fast service — all while adhering to the highest standards of food safety.
The initiative was developed under the SITA’s mandate to promote transformative innovations that can have practical applications for the public, offering new avenues for entrepreneurship and enhancing the state’s reputation as a hub for technology-driven solutions. With an overwhelming response from the attendees, the inaugural event marked a historic milestone towards embracing innovation and technological advancements. The Automated Panipuri Vending Machine is expected to be a model for similar projects across the state and nation.
The meeting was attended by Jaideep Baruah, Director of ASTEC, Biman Chandra Barua, Scientific Officer & Head (i/c), S &T Division of ASTEC, Amarendra Kumar Das, Professor, Department of Design of IIT Guwahati, Saurav Sarma and Abhijit Nath, Innovators of the Automated Panipuri Vending Machine, Officials and staff of SITA and ASTEC and employees of Janata Bhawan.
The event concluded with a live demonstration of the machine, where attendees had the opportunity to enjoy fresh, hot, and hygienically prepared panipuri, proving the success and practicality of the innovation.
