Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The grand finale of the 16th edition of Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) was organized today at Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, addressed the students with a video message and congratulated the top 20 winners of the contest, which has been organized in association with Pathani Samanta Planetarium.
More than 77,500 students from 300 schools across 30 districts of Odisha participated in the annual flagship event of Tata Steel in the state. The theme for this edition was “Time to unravel the universe”, said an official press release.
The winners will get the opportunity to visit one of the premier facilities of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and receive a first-hand experience of space science in May 2023.
Among others present on the occasion were Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Science & Technology Department, Sanjulata Behera, Additional Secretary, Science & Technology Department, and Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, Dr Karuna Kar Nanda, Director, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, Sarvesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Communications, Tata Steel.
Addressing the students with a video message, Chief Minister Patnaik said, “YATS has evolved as a platform that ignites young minds to think out of the box and kindles their interest in the field of astronomy. YATS will go a long way in furthering the course of research in astronomy and space sciences.’’
Complimenting Tata Steel and the planetarium for the initiative, Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Science & Technology, Public Enterprises, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability, said through a video message, “In the coming days, we look up to this platform as a launchpad for emerging space scientists. My best wishes to the winners and the finalists of YATS 2022.”
Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Science & Technology Department, said, “I thank Tata steel for organizing such a platform for the young generation. My heartiest congratulations to the 20 winners and all the participants. This kind of platform certainly has the potential to enhance the quality of education”.
Congratulating the winners and participants of the 16th edition of YATS, T V Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel, said in a video message: ‘’The young students in schools who are interested in science are a very important part of our future as India steps into a crucial stage of its development and growth. We are very happy to contribute to this journey’’.
Dr Karuna Kar Nanda, Director, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar had an interactive session with the finalists of YATS during the day, who had come from all corners of the state.
