Zero Genie

Somyashree from Jajpur shine at Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS)

~Selected among top 20 students of Odisha, to visit ISRO facility~

~More than 77,500 students from 300 schools of Odisha participated in YATS 2022~

Kalinganagar, January 05, 2023: Somyashree Sneha Dash from N. C. High School, Jajpur emerged as a proud winner from the Jajpur district in the Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) 2022 programme. She was selected in the top 60 winners out of 3537 students who participated from Jajpur district in the activation round. Subsequently, in the final round of selection held at Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, Somyashree clinched a spot in the top 20 students of Odisha.

Dr. Anshuman Swain, YATS alumnus of 2009, currently Harvard Society Fellow and James McDonnell Foundation Complexity Fellow at Harvard University, Cambridge felicitated Somyashree along with the other winners.

Another student of the district Kuni Haibru from Govt. High School, Tomka, Jajpur was also selected in the top 60 and was felicitated by the dignitaries in the final day event.

Somyashree daughter of Suvendu Kishore Dash and Puspalata Dash, is delighted with this recognition. She said, “Earlier I have a plan to become doctor. But after participating in the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) now I want to become an Astronomer in future. The overall experience is very good. I really able to learn many things regarding space science and astronomy. Thanks to Tata Steel for providing me this opportunity. It’s like a dream comes true for me.”

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, addressed the students with a video message and congratulated top 20 winners of the contest.

Among others present on the occasion were Smt Sanjulata Behera, Additional Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha and Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, Dr Karuna Kar Nanda, Director, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, Sarvesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Communications, Tata Steel.

YATS has been organised in association with Pathani Samanta Planetarium since its inception in 2007.

This season, around 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”. 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.

YATS, organised since 2007, is aimed at creating awareness in the field of astronomy and space science among the students and popularise the great contribution of the legendary Odia astronomer Pathani Samanata to the field. YATS 2022-23 included an open quiz-conducted physically in schools (for students of classes 6th to 10th) and a written competition: conducted in schools as well as online (for students of classes 9th and 10th).