Department of Education Inaugurates First Space Laboratory in BTR
KOKRAJHAR,JULY 19: The Department of Education, government of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), has added another feather to its cap with the inauguration of its first Space Laboratory on Friday which has marked as first space lab in a government school in north east India.
The Chief Executive Member of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Promod Bodo inaugurated the ‘Chino Basumatary Memorial Space Laboratory‘ at Sidli Kashikotra Higher Secondary School, Chirang amidst presence of huge gathering of students, senior government officials and teaching fraternities.
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Principal Secretary of BTC, Akash Deep, Secretary Education, Amarjyoti Barman, and former Senior Space Scientist, ISRO Dr TN Suresh Kumar.
Dr Suresh Kumar is a former senior Space Scientist from ISRO with an illustrious career spanning over 38 years. He retired from the INSAT Master Control Facility, Department of Space, Government of India in July 2017. Dr Kumar’s career began in 1978 at the Space Application Center, ISRO, Ahmedabad, after graduating in Electronics & Communication Engineering. Known for his diverse interests and extraordinary personal accomplishments, Dr Kumar has established himself as a pioneer in various fields, including education, exploration, and adventure.
Dr Kumar holds several “firsts” as an Indian scientist, including traveling to the “Edge of space-Stratosphere” and experiencing zero gravity flight at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Centre in Russia. He has explored the Ennedi Plateau region of the Sahara Desert, reached the summit of the active Nyiragongo Volcano in Congo, visited Easter Island, and traveled to more than 175 countries across all seven continents. Dr. Kumar’s unique blend of scientific expertise and adventurous spirit has allowed him to contribute significantly to both the field of space science and our understanding of the world through his extensive travels and explorations.
This inaugural Space Lab is named in honor of Late Chino Basumatary, a renowned social worker and journalist from the village of Bhaulaguri, Kashikotra in Sidli development block of Chirang.
Born on 13th April 1954 to Late Saildendra Basumatary and Late Sabeswari Basumatary, he passed away on 29th December 2015. Chino Basumatary’s contributions to society were numerous and significant. He was the Editor and Publisher of ‘ARONAI’ Newspaper (1981), ‘Bodosa’ weekly newspaper (1991), and ‘Bodosa’ Daily newspaper (2006). He served as the founder President of ‘Bodoland Journalist Association’ and Kokrajhar Press Club.
A Folk Song Artist & Composer at All India Radio, he was also President of ‘Tribal Youth Association’ and ‘Sidli Chirang Anchalik Committee, ABSU (1973-76). He founded the Bodosa Institute of Advanced Education & Information Technology, Kokrajhar, and actively participated in the Roman Script Movement and Bodoland separate state movement. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship Award in 2005.
The Space Laboratory marks the first of ten such facilities to be established across the BTR, following an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed on 23rd February 2024 between the Government of BTR and M/S Vyomika Space Academy Private Limited, New Delhi.
The other selected schools for this pioneering initiative are Debargaon HS School, Kokrajhar, Grahampur HS School, Gossaigaon and Tipkai Senior Secondary School, Parbatjhora in Kokrajhar district, Bijni Bandhab HS School, Bijni in Chirang district, Barama Girls High School, Mushalpur and Salbari Girls High School, Salbari in Baksa district, Tamulpur HS School, Salbari in Tamulpur district, Udalguri HS School, Udalguri and Khoirabari HS School, Bhergaon in Udalguri district.
The initiative aims to ignite interest in space and its applications among BTR students through an innovative gamification approach. These space labs, specially designed for government school students, have been developed under the ISRO Space Tutor Programme by Vyomika Space Academy, a global learning platform offering world-class educational tools and resources on space and technology. Each space lab is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including Telescopes, ISRO Satellite Models, ISRO Rocket Models, Aircraft and Drone Models, Robots, 3D Printers, and other cutting-edge technology tools.
This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing STEM education in the BTR, providing students with hands-on experience and exposure to space technology and its applications. The remaining nine schools will see similar setups in the near future, bringing this innovative educational opportunity to students across the region.
CEM Pramod Boro while I the event said that the Bodoland region has reached for the stars,and successfully first ot it’s space lab in Chirang.
He said that the BTR government is committed to work for all round development and welfare of the common masses across the region.He said that the BTR government so far launched and initiated several initiative and missions while bringing healthy educational environment.
” Chino Basumatary memorial space laboratory at Sidli Kashikotra HS school, Chirang ceremonially inaugurated amidst presence of students, teachers and officials. It has been regarded as a first space lab in a government school in North East India.The government of BTR has initiated to establish ten space lab at various educational institutions to educate students on space science in days to come..The Govt of BTR so far initiated Bodofa Super 50 mission to impart training, and educational upliftment amongst the students.The BTR government also launched School adoption programme through which schools are getting new heights of uplift in the region”, Boro added.
