Noida-based Mrigank Pawagi (14) is the latest teen to join the platoon of precocious gaming app developers of the country. One of five national champions of Google India’s version 3.0 online Web Rangers Contest 2017, the results of which were declared on Internet Safety Day (February 6), Mrigank was feted and awarded a Samsung tablet for innovating a new Android gaming app WebMe (projects category).
The annual Web Rangers competition which is open to 10-17 year-olds under the campaign, poster and project categories, is organised by Google India Pvt. Ltd — the Indian subsidiary of the American multinational tech behemoth Google LLC — to raise Internet safety awareness. The Web Rangers Contest 2017 launched on Children’s Day (November 14) last year, attracted over 5,000 entries.
“My free-of-charge gaming app educates users about the fundamentals of cyber security through an online game which can also be played offline. Each level of the game is challenging, and successful winners earn a certificate for bragging rights,” says Mrigank.
The elder of two children of business couple Milind and Sonia Pawagi, Mrigank, a class IX student of the CBSE-affiliated Vishwa Bharati School, Noida, learned the basics of computer programming in class IV. “MSWLOGO was the first programming language I learned in school, which sparked my interest. When the Web Rangers contest was announced, I instantly began working on my idea. Using open Internet resources like (MIT’s) App Investor and Thunkble.com platforms and community, I completed my award-winning entry in five weeks,” he recalls.
Looking ahead, Mrigank has set his sights on studying engineering after Plus Two. But right now he is working on improving and upgrading his digital safety app. “Given the urgent need to spread Internet safety awareness worldwide, I am focusing on designing a cyber-security website and plan to integrate it with educational games like WebMe,” he enthuses.
Way to go, Bro!
Autar Nehru (Delhi)