The third iteration of tech-exhibit Mantra: Chanting of Technology concluded over the weekend in Pokhara. 

The week-long exhibit flaunted an array of the latest technological innovations, most of which were designed and built in Nepal—3-D printer, medical drone, robots, glider planes—and other quirky products such as the Robotic Lake Sweeper, which is a battery-powered lake sweeper prototype; and Robotic Street Sweeper; among others. 

Speaking about the Lake Sweeper, Rahul Rai, who created the device, said, “The device managed to attract science and tech enthusiasts alike, the observers were pleasantly surprised as it would clean up solid wastages including weeds and lichen in the dysfunctional water fountain in the courtyard of the City Hall.”

The exhibit also had a device called Pani Mantra, a water-level controlling device. “I have already received as many as 3,700 orders from the locals,” said Ganga Shah, who showcased the device at the event. The organisers, Innovative Ghar Nepal (ING Nepal) and USART, have said that the main motive of the event is to fuse technology with the arts, as per which a tech-play titled Mira Miraj (written by Aki Thekpa; directed by Bikash Joshi) was staged. While the event also saw live musical performances by acts such as Zero Circle, Liqweed and Deplore among others. 

The first edition of Mantra was organised in Kathmandu in October, 2017 and the second in Biratnagar in January of this year.