Why are you participating for Based India?

I’m excited to join Based India as a first-time hackathon participant from Kerala! My goal is to make Web3 and decentralized systems more accessible to my community. This project is my entry into the hackathon scene, and it reflects my desire to simplify blockchain tech for everyday users here in India.

Growing up in Kerala, I’ve seen how technology can change lives, but I also know that its complexity can be a big hurdle. That’s why I want to create something that makes Web3 concepts easier to grasp for my community.

I chose Farcaster and basenames because they replace complicated wallet addresses with easy-to-remember usernames. This kind of simplification is key for adoption in India, where digital literacy is improving but tech barriers still pose challenges.

This hackathon is just the beginning for me—a chance to learn, build, and maybe even make a real difference in my community. I hope to inspire others in Kerala and across India to see Web3 not as something foreign, but as a tool for local empowerment and growth.

In short, I’m here for personal growth, community impact, and a vision for an inclusive digital future in India. It’s about taking that first step to bring the benefits of decentralized tech to everyone, starting right here in Kerala.

What challenges are you focusing on?

In my project with Base, I'm tackling three main challenges in Kerala and across India:

Digital Identity Confusion: A lot of folks find wallet addresses and cryptographic keys super complicated, which makes jumping into Web3 tough. By using Farcaster usernames and Base names, we're making digital identity way simpler and more user-friendly.
Disconnected Conversations: Right now, Web3 chats are often stuck in their own little bubble, separate from mainstream social media. Our decentralized chat feature changes that, letting people connect using usernames they already know, which helps build community and share knowledge.
Barriers to Financial Inclusion: Traditional financial systems can leave people out, and crypto transfers can feel intimidating. By allowing transfers through usernames, we’re making it easier for everyone to get involved in decentralized finance and boosting financial literacy.
By tackling these challenges, we can really help more people adopt Web3 and see how useful it can be, opening the door to blockchain solutions for local issues.

How does your submission address this challenge?

My project, Touch Base India, tackles these challenges with three cool features:

1.Community Discovery: Users can easily find and connect with others in their Farcaster network who have Base names. This helps build a sense of community and gets more people using Base within their existing Web3 circles.

2.Decentralized Chat: I’ve set up a user-friendly chat system that lets people communicate using Farcaster usernames or Base names. This makes it way easier to chat in Web3, especially for those who aren’t familiar with wallet addresses.

3.Simplified Transfers: Users can send funds just by using someone’s Farcaster username or Base name, skipping the whole complex wallet address thing. This makes jumping into decentralized finance way less intimidating.

Potential Impact:

1.More People Onboard: By making it easier to find and interact with others, I’m hoping to see a lot more folks adopting Base and Web3 tech in my community.

2.Boosting Digital Skills: The simple interface will help teach users about Web3 concepts, which should improve overall digital skills.

3.Financial Inclusion: The easy transfer feature could bring more people into decentralized finance, helping to promote financial inclusion.

4.Stronger Community: By making connections and conversations easier, I aim to strengthen the local Web3 community in Kerala and beyond.

Touch Base India is all about making Web3 interactions as simple as your favorite social media, which could really speed up blockchain adoption in my are

Challenges I ran into

Challenges I Ran Into

As a complete newbie in programming and Web3, I faced a bunch of challenges along the way:

1.Learning Curve: Trying to wrap my head around basic programming and the crazy world of Web3 was like trying to learn a new language while riding a roller coaster. Here’s how I tackled it:

• Binge-watching YouTube videos and diving into documentation (thank you, internet!).
• Breaking the project into smaller, bite-sized tasks—because, let’s be real, no one can eat a whole pizza at once.
• Focusing on one concept at a time, like a toddler with a new toy.

2.Technical Hurdles: Integrating all these technologies (Farcaster, Base, XMTP) felt like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual. Debugging in a decentralized environment? Let’s just say, it was a wild ride.

3.Development Environment: Setting up a Web3 development environment was like trying to set up a tent during a windstorm. I managed by:

• Following step-by-step guides like a scavenger hunt.
• Asking for help from online communities and friends (thank you, fellow nerds!).

4.Decentralized Concepts: Grasping blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized identities took some time. I got hands-on by:

• Playing around with existing dApps to see how they worked.
• Building small prototypes to test concepts—think of it as my Web3 science fair project.

5.Time Management: Balancing learning and building during the hackathon was tricky. I survived by:

• Creating a structured schedule (who knew I could be organized?).
• Prioritizing core features and leaving the fancy stuff for later—like saving the best toppings for last.

6.No Personal Laptop: And let’s not forget, I don’t have my own laptop! I got through this by making some amazing friends who let me borrow theirs. Shoutout to them!

Despite all these challenges, every hurdle was a learning opportunity that fueled my passion for Web3 development and solidified my commitment to