Haryana Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya on Thursday urged students to promote innovation and pursue new research. He emphasized that students should not get discouraged by failures during research but instead continue their efforts until success is achieved. Shri Dattatraya was speaking as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the 51st Rashtriya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshini at Haryana Sports University, Rai, Sonipat, on Thursday.
In his address, the Governor mentioned that it has been 30 years since Haryana last hosted this exhibition. The annual event is being held from December 26 to 31 and serves not only as a platform to showcase scientific projects but also as a venue for fostering national unity. Students from all corners of India share their ideas and experiences, exchanging thoughts about the country's rich traditions, diverse culture, lifestyle, and languages.
He encouraged children to transcend barriers of caste and religion, focusing solely on the shared identity of being Indian. He also paid tribute to Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, emphasizing the need to draw inspiration from their sacrifices.
Highlighting the importance of curiosity, focus, and innovation in children, Shri Dattatraya stated that students must develop a keen interest in their surroundings and hone their listening and comprehension skills. He cited the example of Thomas Edison, who succeeded in inventing the light bulb after 999 attempts, urging students to remain steadfast in their efforts.
The Governor also emphasized learning about Indian scientists like Aryabhata, CV Raman, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and Kalpana Chawla. He encouraged students to contribute to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047 through innovation and research.
Quoting Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, he remarked that educational institutions should not merely be exam centres but nurturing grounds for building students' futures. He stressed the need for programs that promote skills and innovation, keeping present and future requirements in mind.
He also appreciated Haryana’s efforts in implementing the New Education Policy by 2025 and highlighted initiatives like allowing MBBS studies in regional languages. The state has also introduced programs in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and coding in its universities.
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Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Shri Mahipal Dhanda stated that the exhibition had initially been planned for 400 science students from across India. However, it was later decided to invite over 10,000 students daily, with the aim of reaching millions by December 31. He praised India’s growing global reputation for its intellectual, scientific, and skill-based contributions.
The 51st Rashtriya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshini features students from all 29 States and Union Territories, displaying 185 models. Notable projects included a device for cutting nails for differently-abled individuals (Maharashtra), a smart wheelchair (Gujarat), a portable structure with household facilities (Bihar), and a baby monitoring system (Telangana).
The Governor and the Education Minister inspected the exhibits and lauded the students for their creativity. Special recognition was given to Anshika, a gold medalist in the Asian Roll Ball Championship.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Rai MLA Shri Krishna Gehlawat, Sonipat MLA Shri Nikhil Madan, and officials such as School Education Commissioner Shri Pankaj Agarwal and NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prasad Saklani.