The Indian capital has hosted presidents, pop stars, and pioneers — but this week, it welcomed a different kind of celebrity: Mark Rober, the globally celebrated YouTube creator, former NASA engineer, and the man behind the viral glitter bomb. Landing in Mumbai as part of his first-ever India tour, Rober brought with him more than just gadgets and gadgets — he brought a full-blown movement for innovation and grassroots engineering.
Best known for turning complex science into blockbuster YouTube content, Rober’s transition from NASA mission rooms to global science influencer has been nothing short of stellar. And now, with the launch of the Jugaad Contest 2025, he’s channeling that influence toward empowering Indian minds to think, tinker, and create.
“India has always fascinated me — not just for its cultural vibrancy but for its deep-rooted spirit of innovation,” said Rober, addressing a buzzing crowd of students at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D). “Jugaad is more than a word here. It’s a way of thinking. And I believe the next generation of global inventors could be sitting in this very room.”
The Jugaad Contest 2025, which launched on April 30, offers ₹5 lakh each to ten winners who submit the most creative inventions using everyday household items. Open to all Indian residents aged 8 and above, the contest encourages video submissions via social media using the hashtag #MarkRoberJugaad, with a mandatory post link submission on the official website: www.markroberjugaad.com. The deadline for entries is September 15, 2025.
In Delhi, Rober’s schedule was packed. From hands-on experiments at children’s museums to STEM workshops at under-resourced schools, every event echoed his mission: to turn science into a celebration. He even recreated one of his most iconic YouTube builds — a mini obstacle course for plastic squirrels — with local students, demonstrating physics, design, and storytelling all at once.
“He made science feel magical,” said Riya Sharma, a 13-year-old participant from Noida. “We weren’t just watching; we were building. And laughing. And learning. All at the same time.”
At a special educators’ roundtable, Rober emphasized the importance of informal learning environments. “We often overestimate the power of textbooks and underestimate the power of a cardboard box,” he said. “True learning happens when curiosity meets permission to explore.”
This philosophy is the core of his company, CrunchLabs, which designs monthly STEM subscription boxes for kids, along with exclusive educational content. While primarily available in the U.S., Rober expressed strong interest in expanding CrunchLabs to India, inspired by the overwhelming enthusiasm he’s witnessed.
His Delhi visit also marked the beginning of several highly anticipated collaborations. Among them is a surprise build with Indian cricket icon Hardik Pandya — a project that blends sports, science, and spectacle. While the final reveal is under wraps, insiders hint at a high-speed cricket ball analyzer that could redefine how fans experience the game.
In addition, Rober is teaming up with some of India’s most influential digital creators — including CarryMinati, Slayy Point, Tech Burner, and Curly Tales — to create bilingual science content aimed at India’s massive online audience. These collaborations promise a fusion of entertainment and education, taking Rober’s mission deeper into India’s digital heartland.
“This is about meeting young people where they are,” Rober noted. “If that’s on Instagram, YouTube, or at the local park with a pile of scrap parts — then that’s where the spark needs to be lit.”
Delhi, known for its juxtaposition of ancient history and futuristic ambition, proved to be the ideal launchpad for Rober’s India campaign. And while his tour will take him to cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, the impact of his Delhi days is already visible. Several local NGOs have begun replicating his science challenges in community centers, and schools are reporting surges in student-led STEM clubs.
In Rober’s own words: “I didn’t come here to teach India how to innovate. I came here to witness it — and help amplify it.”
As the Jugaad Contest gathers steam and Rober’s journey unfolds, one thing is clear: India’s future engineers are no longer sitting quietly in classrooms — they’re out there, building it with glue guns, recycled plastic, and a spark of imagination.
