Kokrajhar, July : The Department of Education, Government of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), has added a significant milestone to its educational advancements with the inauguration of its first Space Laboratory on Friday. This pioneering facility, the first of its kind in a government school in Northeast India, represents a monumental step in enhancing STEM education in the region.
The Chief Executive Member of BTR, Pramod Boro, inaugurated the ‘Chino Basumatary Memorial Space Laboratory’ at Sidli Kashikotra Higher Secondary School, Chirang. The event witnessed a large gathering of enthusiastic students, senior government officials, and the teaching fraternity.
Esteemed dignitaries graced the occasion, including Principal Secretary of BTC, Akash Deep, Secretary of Education, Amarjyoti Barman, and former Senior Space Scientist, ISRO, Dr. TN Suresh Kumar.
Dr. Kumar, a former senior Space Scientist from ISRO, has an illustrious career spanning over 38 years. 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.
Among his numerous achievements, 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 significantly contributed to both space science and our understanding of the world through his extensive travels and explorations.
The Space Laboratory 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 April 13, 1954, to Late Saildendra Basumatary and Late Sabeswari Basumatary, he passed away on December 29, 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 February 23, 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, Tipkai Senior Secondary School, Parbatjhora in Kokrajhar district, Bijni Bandhab HS School, Bijni in Chirang district, Barama Girls High School, Mushalpur, 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.
During the event, CEM Pramod Boro expressed his pride and optimism for the future. “The Bodoland region has reached for the stars and successfully inaugurated its first space lab in Chirang. The BTR government is committed to working for the all-round development and welfare of the common masses across the region. We have launched and initiated several missions to foster a healthy educational environment.”
Boro added, “The Chino Basumatary Memorial Space Laboratory at Sidli Kashikotra HS School in Chirang is a significant achievement. It is the first space lab in a government school in Northeast India. The Government of BTR plans to establish ten such space labs at various educational institutions to educate students on space science. The BTR government has also initiated the Bodofa Super 50 mission to impart training and uplift education among students. Our School Adoption Programme has elevated the educational standards in the region.”
The inauguration of the Chino Basumatary Space Lab signifies a new era in STEM education for the Bodoland Territorial Region and Northeast India, fostering scientific curiosity and innovation among young minds.