As part of the ISRO’s nationwide Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Program to mark the birth centenary of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the first such program in NE region of India was organized at Maharani Tulsibati Girls Higher Secondary School at Agartala, Tripura during 2-4 January, 2020. The program was conducted in collaboration with State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) of Government of Tripura and coincided with the Annual state level fair on Science, Mathematics, and Environment conducted by the Government of Tripura. NESAC set up an exhibition stall with complete set of material received for this program, displayed the space on wheels, arranged different competitions like painting, quiz, extempore speech, essay writing, etc in addition to special lectures by eminent space scientists.
The program was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri Biplab Kumar Deb in presence of Hon’ble Education Minister of Tripura Shri Ratan Lal Nath. Hon’ble Chief Minister visited the space on wheels and took keen interest on the displays. Two lectures were organized during the program. The first lecture was by Padmashree Dr V Adimurthy, ISRO Honorary Distinguished Professor on “Indian Space Program with focus on Planetary Missions, Exploration, and Science and the second lecture was on “Benefits of Space Technology with special emphasis on Societal Development”, which was delivered by Shri P L N Raju, Director, NESAC. More than 2000 students visited the Space on wheels and exhibition area every day. The students enthusiastically participated in different competitions and interacted with scientists. Different posters, stickers, T-shirts, caps, pens, etc. specially designed for the centenary celebration program were gifted to the students. The students were also shown by flying the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, different Science activities, video shows, etc. The program was concluded on 4 January, 2020 where Hon’ble Minister of Forest and Tribal Welfare of Tripura, Shri Mevar K. Jamatia was the Chief Guest. During the valedictory program, students were given prizes and certificates for their exceptional performance in different competitions.
