KOZHIKODE: The passion of P.S. Abinand, a tenth standard student of Balussery Government Higher Secondary School, for space science has got him the best student award at a national space camp held recently at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. And moreover, it also got him a helping hand from a cooperative institution in his hometown which offered to sponsor his studies to fulfill his dream to become an astronaut.
Abinand also received special mention for his knowledge in the studies about space, satellites and planets, in addition to the related activities of the subject, the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), the organisers, said. More than 70 students from all over the country attended the six-day camp.
“The camp was a very effective session where we were introduced to topics on astronomy, satellites, history of rocket launches in the country and the missions undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organization in past few decades, which are all the topics that I often browse through,” said Abinand. “More than the award I was blessed to listen to some of the major experts in the sector like ISRO former chairman Prof. U.R. Rao, VSSC former director Dr B.N. Suresh and Bengaluru ISRO Satellite centre director Dr S.K. Shivakumar.”
Back home, Uralungal Lbour Contract Cooperative Society Foundation chairman Ramesh Palleri said the cooperative had already selected Abinand for its educational project considering his interest and caliber. “This new national level recognition has encouraged us to do more for this little talent, who comes from a financially poor background,” Mr Palleri said.
