KALAIGAON, Jan 30 - The district-level science-based competitions of Aryabhatta Science Centres of Udalguri district under Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Guwahati was held at Udalguri HS School on January 28 with a day-long programme.
Child scientists from five, out of total six blocks of the district, namely, Kalaigaon, Rowta, Bhergaon, Udalguri and Mazbat took part in the science-based competitions like model, extempore speech and poster drawing. The programme was organised jointly by Aryabhatta Science Centres of Udalguri district and Udalguri district administration, supported by ASTEC, Guwahati.
ASC Udalguri district coordinator, Jayanta Das welcomed all the guests, students and teachers before Puspadhar Bastula, principal, Udalguri HS School inaugurated the science programme at 10 am. Speaking on the occasion, he spoke of ancient Indian practice of science, medicine and surgery with special reference to Aryabhatta, Sarak Borahmihir etc.
Dilip Kumar Das, Deputy Commissioner, Udalguri district, who is also the chairman of ASC, Udalguri district committee attended the inaugural session as the chief guest. Das expressed his pleasure for organising such an event for young child scientists.
Speaking on evil social practices like witch-hunting, blind belief and superstitions etc., Deputy Commissioner said that only basic scientific knowledge could eradicate such evil practices from the society. Teachers, parents and elders of the society must try to expose children regarding ill affects of evil social practices with basic knowledge of science and technology.
He emphasised on the need for acquiring scientific temperament from early school days. He said that it was the responsibility of parents and teachers to be role models for their children so as to remove blind beliefs and superstitions from the minds of students.
The session was also attended by Sahitya Akademi award winner Nabin Malla Boro, Anima Bhuyan Barua, HoD, Zoology, Tangla College; Sarojini Talukdar, HoD, Botany, Tangla College; Monalisa Daimari, Bhogeswar Deka of Udalguri HSS and Hemanta Deka.
The first two position holders in each three categories of competitions have qualified to take part in the state-level ASC meet to be held at Regional Science Centre, Khanapara on February 6 and 7 this year.
In science model category, Aditya Rai Barua and Monjyoti Boro of Arunodoi Academy, Tangla (Kalaigaon block) secured first position while Akash Kairala and Kishan Kairala of Eureka English School, Orang (Mazbat Block) secured the second position.
In science-based extempore speech competition, Nabajyoti Dhakal of Eureka English School (Mazbat block) secured first position while Nikita Moni Kalita of Sankardev Sishu Vidyapith, Udalguri, (Udalguri block) secured the second position.
In science-based poster drawing contest, Himani Nath of RIA school (Bhergaon block) secured first position while Dhanasmita Barua of Lokapriya Bordoloi Public School, Kalaigaon (Kalaigaon block) secured the second position.
