Bageshwar: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 5th Border Hill District Child Science Congress on Friday at Vivekananda Vidya Mandir Inter College, Mandalsera in Bageshwar. Organized under the aegis of the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), the two-day event features 240 selected child scientists from Chamoli, Champawat, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh.
To foster research and innovation, CM Dhami announced a grant of ₹1 crore for border district science congresses and related programs. He outlined plans to integrate artificial intelligence into the state’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) laboratories and establish mobile laboratories in every development block, alongside setting up Science and Innovation Centers across all districts of Uttarakhand.
Addressing the students, the Chief Minister urged them to cultivate curiosity, embrace question-asking, and pursue new ideas, stating that today’s child scientists will become the nation’s leading researchers and engineers driving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He highlighted state initiatives like the development of a Science City in Dehradun, a Science Center in Champawat, and the promotion of local products under the House of Himalayas brand.
During the event, teachers Kavita Harkotiya, Deep Chand Joshi, Harimohan Aithani, and Khyali Datt were honored for their outstanding contributions to science education. Dignitaries present included Kapkot MLA Suresh Gariya, Bageshwar MLA Parvati Das, UCOST Director General Prof. Durgesh Pant, District Magistrate Apoorva Pandey, and SSP Jitendra Mehra.
