Adilabad Hosts Street Science Carnival to Foster Scientific Temper Among Students

Hyderabad, December 13 - In an initiative aimed at promoting scientific thinking among the youth, Adilabad is set to host the 'Street Science Carnival' from December 14 to 16. This event will bring together 500 high school students from across the state, selected through the 'Chekumuki' science assessment held on November 7, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Sir CV Raman.

The carnival, organized by Jana Vignana Vedika, will feature interactive sessions with scientists from various disciplines. Students will have the chance to engage directly with experts, ask questions, and participate in hands-on demonstrations aimed at debunking superstitions and fostering a scientific mindset.

Nuthala Ravindar, a school teacher and senior functionary of Jana Vignana Vedika, emphasized the importance of such initiatives. "We aim to show students through scientific explanations that superstitions are unfounded," he stated. Ravindar, known for his unique approach to challenging superstition, once spent a night in a classroom believed to be haunted, on Amavasya (new moon night), to prove there was nothing to fear.

He also highlighted a concerning trend in India's scientific community. "Despite 75 years of independence, no Indian scientist has won a Nobel Prize in science since Sir CV Raman in 1930. This underscores the need for robust science education and the encouragement of students towards scientific careers," Ravindar noted.

The carnival will also address common superstitious beliefs, like the fear of objects placed on roads. Ravindar often demonstrates the harmlessness of these objects by consuming the juice from lemons found on roads, showing that there's no basis for fear.

Prominent figures like former CCMD director Ch Mohan Rao and former NIMS director Dasari Prasad Rao are supporting this initiative. Their involvement underscores the carnival's goal to not only educate but also inspire students to think critically and pursue scientific inquiry.

This event marks a significant step towards instilling a scientific temper in the younger generation, crucial for the nation's progress in an increasingly technology-driven world.