Odisha’s Budding Astronomers Shine at Tata Steel YATS Grand Finale

Bhubaneswar: The 18th Grand Finale of the Tata Steel Young Astronomers Talent Search (YATS) celebrated the brilliance of budding scientific minds at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. The event brought together 30 exceptional students from 23 districts of Odisha, who were recognized for their achievements in astronomy and science.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the chief guest, paid tribute to Pathani Samanta, the legendary astronomer from Nayagarh, who in 1835 accurately predicted solar and lunar eclipses using simple tools like bamboo sticks. Highlighting India’s rich astronomical heritage, the Chief Minister also acknowledged the contributions of Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira, and Bhaskara.

The Chief Minister celebrated India’s advancements in space exploration, citing milestones such as Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and the ambitious Gaganyaan project. He noted that India is the first nation to successfully land on the Moon’s South Pole and shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary goals of establishing a space station by 2035 and sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

“India’s youth have immense potential to contribute to these historic missions, and I urge all young minds here to dream big and work hard to make these visions a reality,” he stated.

As part of the YATS initiative, the 30 selected students will embark on an educational tour to ISRO, offering them firsthand exposure to cutting-edge advancements in space science and technology.

Minister for Science and Technology Krushna Chandra Patra, addressing the gathering, lauded India’s scientific progress and emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent. Drawing inspiration from former Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “Jai Vigyan”, he remarked, “These young talents are the strength of our nation, embodying its future potential.”

Patra announced plans to establish a planetarium and an Astro Physics & Astronomy Institute in Khandapada to honor Pathani Samanta’s legacy and further inspire Odisha’s youth to pursue careers in science.