Chennai: The Daily Thanthi Group, in association with the GDN Movie Team, has concluded the 2026 edition of its statewide innovation contest, “Who is the Next G.D. Naidu?”, drawing participation from engineering students and institutions across Tamil Nadu.
Designed to identify and encourage young innovators, the initiative has grown into one of the state’s largest innovation platforms, bringing together aspiring engineers to showcase ideas with the potential to address real-world challenges.
The 2026 edition witnessed participation from more than 165 engineering colleges, with over 3,000 engineering students submitting 779 innovation projects from across Tamil Nadu.
Following the preliminary rounds, shortlisted teams advanced to the semi-finals and grand finale, held on July 3 and 4 at the G.D. Naidu Museum, Coimbatore, where participants presented their innovations before an expert jury.
The initiative aims to provide a platform for emerging engineering talent while fostering innovation, creativity and problem-solving among students. It also seeks to honour the legacy of inventor and industrialist G.D. Naidu by inspiring the next generation of innovators.
The organisers acknowledged the contribution of participating students, faculty mentors, engineering colleges, partners and the Daily Thanthi team in making the initiative a success. Through the contest, the media group continues to promote innovation-led learning and create opportunities for young engineers to transform their ideas into impactful solutions.
