ISRO to Organise Competitions for School Children as Part of Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Programme

ISRO has made an announcement that will most certainly bring about happiness and enthusiasm amongst school children aiming to take up the field of Space Science and Technology. The Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to conduct a year-long programme in the form of exhibitions, competitions for school children, journalism awards and speeches by eminent personalities to commemorate the birth centenary of its founder father Dr Vikram A Sarabhai.

The programme will be conducted across as many as 100 cities all over India commencing from 12 August 2019 and ending on 12 August 2020. A curtain raiser inaugural function will be held on 12 August  2019 10 am IST at Ahmedabad, which is the birthplace of Dr Vikram Sarabhai. Several eminent personalities and dignitaries both from ISRO, Department of Space (DOS) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) are expected to participate in this function.

“The two-hour inaugural programme will comprise of several events, including the unveiling of a commemorative coin as well as the inauguration of a ‘Space on Wheels’ exhibition inside a bus.  ISRO will also be unveiling a Coffee Table book and a photo album of exclusive candids from Dr. Sarabhai’s short-lived 52 years,” says ISRO on its website.

Furthermore, ISRO has also announced, “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research” to recognize and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research. The awards are also a part of the Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Programme. There are two categories of awards, wherein category 1 holds a cash price of Rs 5,00,000 and the second category of the award holds 3 cash prizes of Rs 3,00,000, 2,00,000 and 1,00,000 each for journalists or freelancers of print media.

The articles or success stories published in Hindi, English, Regional languages in popular newspapers or news magazines in India during the year 2019 to 2020 will be considered to be nominated for the award. The valedictory function for the year-long Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Programme will be held at Thiruvananthapuram on 12 August 2020.