District-Level Science Seminar Held in Khordha ;

Dipti Akankshya Biswal Secures First Place, to Represent District at State-Level Competition.

Dillip Kumar Pattnaik

KHORDHA, SEPTEMBER 17: A district-level students’ science seminar was organised at B.J.B. High School in Khordha, bringing together young minds from different blocks of the district to deliberate on India’s future energy requirements, energy security, renewable energy and the challenges confronting the country’s energy sector.

The District-Level Students’ Science Seminar-2026 focused on the theme, “Indian Energy Reserves by 2047: Prospects and Challenges.” Students participating in the seminar presented their views on the future energy needs of the country, conventional and renewable sources of energy, solar and wind power, energy conservation and the need for sustainable energy management.
Additional District Education Officer (Academic), Khordha, Dr. Pragya Paramita Jena, formally inaugurated the seminar. Addressing the inaugural session, she highlighted the importance of such academic competitions in developing a scientific temperament among students, encouraging them to ask questions and nurturing innovative thinking.

As many as 30 students participated in the district-level competition after securing first, second or third positions in the block-level science seminars held across the district on September 12.
The participants made presentations on the prescribed theme and put forward various arguments, facts and observations relating to India’s future energy scenario. Their performances were assessed on parameters including subject knowledge, presentation skills, scientific approach, use of relevant data and their responses during the question-and-answer session.
The presentations were evaluated by Veena Pani Padhi, teacher & instructor at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Khordha, and Subodh Kumar Jagdev, Lecturer in Physics at Prananath Autonomous College.
At the conclusion of the competition, Dipti Akankshya Biswal, a Class IX student of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya at Bentapur under Balianta block, emerged as the winner. Her presentation, arguments and overall preparedness were appreciated by the judges.

Sai Sourav Kumar, a Class IX student of Pratap Shasan Government High School under Balianta block, secured the second position, while Mrutyunjay Bhol, a Class X student of Sri Buddhanath High School under Balipatna block, finished third.
The successful participants were presented with trophies and certificates of appreciation at the valedictory ceremony.
With her first-place finish at the district level, Dipti Akankshya Biswal will now represent Khordha district at the State-Level Students’ Science Seminar-2026. Her achievement has been welcomed by teachers, parents and fellow students of her school.

At the valedictory session, Khordha District Education Officer Sonomika Ray said sincere participation and adequate preparation were among the key factors behind success in any field. She encouraged students to develop a greater interest in science and technology alongside their regular studies and cultivate innovative thinking and a research-oriented outlook.
The seminar was conducted with the support of teachers and staff of B.J.B. High School under the leadership of its in-charge headmistress Jyotirmayee Panda. District Science Supervisor Saroj Kumar Singh coordinated the programme.
The seminar provided a platform for students to discuss critical energy-related issues while strengthening their scientific reasoning and presentation skills. Organisers and education officials expressed the view that such programmes can play an important role in identifying young scientific talent and promoting scientific awareness among students.
The enthusiastic participation of students from different parts of Khordha was seen as an encouraging sign for the development of scientific temperament and research-oriented learning in the district.