BHUBANESHWAR: Odisha's Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, honored the top achievers of the 17th Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) 2023 at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in Bhubaneswar. This event, organized by Tata Steel in partnership with the Pathani Samanta Planetarium under Odisha's Department of Science and Technology, drew over 80,000 students from 30 districts of the state.
The felicitation ceremony, graced by dignitaries including Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister of Science and Technology, and officials like Chithra Arumugam and Dr. Yeddula Vijay, aimed to acknowledge and encourage young talents in the field of astronomy.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik commended the participants, emphasizing the growing popularity of YATS. He expressed delight in the substantial participation, recognizing the program's influence in attracting students toward science and astronomy. Highlighting YATS as a platform nurturing innovative thinking, he applauded its role in honoring Pathani Samanta, a revered figure from Odisha, by inspiring more youngsters to explore the realms of science and astronomy.
Patnaik envisioned YATS as a continual avenue for identifying and fostering talents in space sciences, contributing to Odisha's sustainable development. He commended Tata Steel and the Pathani Samanta Planetarium for their consistent efforts and wished the program success in its forthcoming editions.
Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President of Corporate Services at Tata Steel, echoed the sentiments, commending the increasing participation in YATS and its resonance with Odisha's youth. He highlighted the recent successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, stimulating interest among young scientists and encouraging exploration in astronomy and space-related technologies, crucial for India's future endeavors.
The competition featured open quizzes and assessments for students from different classes, culminating in 20 winners, including the top 5, and their teachers receiving an opportunity to visit an Indian Space Research Organisation facility in June 2024. This visit aims to facilitate interactions with leading space scientists.
Since its inception 17 years ago, YATS has engaged over 350,000 young science enthusiasts in Odisha, with 180 students benefiting from visits to ISRO facilities—an enduring testament to the program's impact in fostering scientific curiosity and exploration among the youth.
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