Conclusion of the Two-Day INSPIRE Award MANAK State-Level Exhibition and Competition at SCERT Uttarakhand

Inspiration Unleashed: Two Days of Scientific Brilliance

The two-day State Level INSPIRE Award MANAK Exhibition and Competition concluded with immense enthusiasm and energy at the SCERT Campus, Dehradun. Organized by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Uttarakhand, the event served as a powerful platform for young innovators to showcase their scientific temper, creativity, and potential for problem-solving.

Science as the Pathway to Success: Dr. Ashish Raturi’s Address

Dr. Ashish Raturi, Assistant Professor at Dolphin Institute, ignited the imagination of budding scientists with a motivating talk. He emphasized that a strong grasp of basic science is key to achieving long-term career goals.

He specifically encouraged students to explore astronomy and artificial intelligence, referencing young achiever Saurabh Shukla as an example of success through scientific pursuit.

Hackathon 2.0 Orientation: Bridging Ideas to Innovation

National Teacher Awardee and SCERT spokesperson Mr. R.P. Badoni conducted a detailed orientation session on Hackathon 2.0 through the Innovate Uttarakhand Portal.

He revealed that in the initial phase, 2,500+ students and teachers participated, leading to the selection of 10 student innovators and 2 teacher mentors.

The next phase of the competition is slated to commence by the end of August 2025.

Global Exposure: Jatin Chauhan’s Journey to Japan

A major highlight was the address by Jatin Chauhan, a young scientist from Uttarakhand who represented India in Japan under the Indo-Japanese Sakura Science Exchange Programme (INSPIRE Award 2018–19).

His journey inspired participants to dream big and aim for global platforms through consistent effort and scientific curiosity.

Science in Poetry: Dr. Rakesh Jugran’s Unique Approach

Dr. Rakesh Jugran, former principal of DIET, brought a poetic flair to the event by reciting an inspiring poem on science.

He beautifully expressed how science must serve society by solving day-to-day problems and reaching the most marginalized people.

Innovation with Impact: NIF's Message by Dr. Paras

Dr. Paras from National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – an autonomous body of the Government of India – commended the originality and societal relevance of the student prototypes.

He elaborated on evaluation parameters for the national-level selections and encouraged students to focus on impact-driven innovation.

Breaking Superstition with Science: Dr. Avneesh Uniyal’s Message

Dr. Avneesh Uniyal, the INSPIRE State Coordinator, delivered a powerful message stressing that science and logical reasoning are essential tools to fight superstition and irrational beliefs.

His words reminded students of their role in building a progressive, evidence-based society.

Gratitude and Encouragement: Message from SCERT’s Additional Director

Padmendra Saklani, Additional Director, SCERT, extended heartfelt thanks to students, mentor teachers, jury members, district coordinators, and the organizing team.

He congratulated all the participants and stated,

“Challenges will always come, but real success lies in embracing them with courage. Keep innovating, keep striving.”

Director of Academics, Bandana Garbyal forwarded heartiest congratulations to all the winners and participants of the INSPIRE Award MANAK State-Level Competition. Your creativity and problem-solving mindset are the true reflections of the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020. Keep exploring, keep innovating—the future belongs to you

In addition to the supervision from Dr. K.N. Bijalwan the event was a grand reflection, and he congratulatedall the young scientists who have showcased not just ideas but meaningful innovations. Such initiatives truly pave the way for scientific temper in society. Best wishes to all the selected students for the national-level competition—keep the Uttarakhand flag flying high.

National-Level Selection: Rising Stars of Uttarakhand

During the closing ceremony, certificates and awards were distributed to all participants. The names of 15 student scientists selected for the National-Level INSPIRE MANAK Competition were proudly announced:

Selected Students by District:

• Almora: Khushi Joshi, Babli Bhandari

• Chamoli: Geetanjali

• Dehradun: Adarsh Bhatt, Satvik Rawat

• Haridwar: Himanshu Shukla

• Nainital: Adarsh Niyolia, Daksh Tiwari

• Pauri Garhwal: Prateek

• Tehri Garhwal: Sumit Singh, Neeti

• Udham Singh Nagar: Lokesh Mathpal, Neelam, Ashiq Ali

• Uttarkashi: Devansh Semwal

Their projects will now compete at the national stage, representing the innovative spirit of Uttarakhand.

Presence of Dignitaries and Coordinators

The event was graced by media coordinators Mr. Surendra Kumar Sehgal, Mr. Sanjay Maurya, and Mr. Pawan Sharma.

District coordinators and key officials such as Mr. Sudhir Kanti, Sardar Daljeet Singh, Ms. Pallavi Nain (Deputy Director), Mr. Ajit Singh Bhandari (Deputy Director), Ms. Aarti Mamgain, Ms. Bhavna Naithani, and others were also present to support the event.

A Platform for the Future

This State-Level INSPIRE Award MANAK Exhibition was not just a competition—it was a launchpad for innovation, courage, and creativity. SCERT Uttarakhand continues to nurture scientific temperament and empower youth to be solution creators for a better tomorrow.

Visit Live YouTube: