Media release

Puttur, Jul 22: “Students should get ready to transform India into a developed nation. Ignite your mind and think big,” said Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. With a view to enable the young students to fulfill this aim as well as to meet the challenges of the competitive smart world by nurturing their innovative spirits through technology and with a vision to ‘cultivate one million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’ Atal Innovation Mission of the NITI Ayoga of the Central Government is establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories(ATLs) in schools across the country. 

Out of the five ATLs sanctioned to Puttur Taluk, the first one was inaugurated on July 21 at St Philomena High School, one of the leading schools of the taluk. Two spacious rooms are allocated for the purpose of housing the equipments as well as for the demonstrative teaching.

After the ceremonial guard of honour the dignitaries were led to the newly furnished lab for formal Inauguration. Sanjeeva Mathandur, MLA, Puttur inaugurated the lab. Fr Antony Michael Serao, the secretary of the Catholic Board Of Education blessed the institution. The staff and students invoked God’s blessings.

After the invocation, Oswald Rodrigues the head master of the school heartily welcomed the guests and the invitees. In his welcome speech he lauded the efforts of Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP Mangaluru, Capt Ganesh Karnik former MLC and Opposition Chief Whip and Sanjeeva Mathandur, MLA in sanctioning the ATL to his school.

Clement Pinto, a teacher of the school, in his introductory speech explained the purpose of the scheme and expressed his wish that it would help to train the student scientists in a better way.

The dignitaries then lighted the lamp as a symbol of driving away ignorance.

In his inaugural address Sanjeeva Matandur recalled the services of Atal Bihari Vajpeyi, the former Prime Minister and also how Nalin Kumar was responsible in adding the name of this school in the list of beneficiaries. “Technology should reach each and every home in this modern competitive world. To meet this demand, children studying between classes 6 to 12, especially from the rural areas are given this opportunity. Make the best use of it”, he said.

Floral recognition was given to the teachers of the nearby schools and Sanjeeva Mathandur, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Raveendra the proprietor of Pleseanta Technology - Sullia, Sarala Shantappa Rai, a wellwisher were felicitated on the occasion.

Fr Antony Michael Serao in his speech pressed the need of developing human values along with education among the students. He called upon the students to develop the sense of brotherhood among them irrespective of caste, religion and be good human beings. He requested the representatives of people to provide enough teachers to realize this dream.

Meenakshi Shantigod President of Zilla Panchayath stressed the significance of developing scientific attitude among students from the primary classes and also hoped that ATL will be of great help in this regard.

Bhavani Chidananda, the President of Puttur Tauk Panchayath reminded the students to inculcate good behavior like respecting teachers, parents and requested them to handle the apparatus and the lab with care.

Sukanya D, BEO of Puttur insisted on the need to give practical knowledge using ATL and thereby bring out the child’s potential.

The correspondent of the school Fr Alfred J Pinto gave a call to the students to satisfy their inquisitive nature and be popular like Atalji.

The guests gave away the prizes to the students namely Keerthan, Benhur Veigas and Mrudul Mascarenhas for their achievements in karate, shuttle badminton and chess respectively.

Capt Ganesh Karnik in his Presidential address rightly said, “Students are a composite of mischief, innocense, creativity, inquisitiveness and wonder. ATL scheme will succeed, if the children are given food for their thinking, recognizing their potential and providing wide opportunities.”

The program ended with the vote of thanks proposed by the SPL Mohammad Shaheer. Rajshekhar successfully compered the program.

St Philomena High School, being one of the beneficiaries, is proud to host this ATL not only for the benefit of its students but also of the nearby schools. Thereby, it will help in training the future innovators, who in their turn will contribute to raise the name and fame of our Nation. The school management, students and parents expressed their sincere thanks to AIM-NITI Ayog for providing this opportunity to them and make up their mind to make the best use of it.

At a time when the emerging technologies such as robotics, space technology etc have become the part and the parcel of our day-today lives, such labs are the need of the hour.

School is a temple of learning, where a child’s imagination is developed and nurtured. It is the best time to feed their minds with correct information and ignite their thoughts in the right direction. The AIM scheme fosters curiosity, creativity, imagination and competitive spirit in young minds.

ATL is a work space where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands on do-it-yourself mode and learn innovative skills. The scheme mandates teaching the children using educational content and learning by do-it yourself kits and equipments on science, electronics, robotics, open source microcontroller boards, sensors, 3D printers and computers. Other desirable facilities include meeting rooms and video conferencing facility. AIM also conducts competitions for the students at various levels and organizes exhibitions and workshops for the benefit of students.

NITI Aayog which sponsors the Atal Innovation Mission sanctions Rs 10 lacs to the selected schools to set up full-fledged technological lab to foster an innovative hub. Using these tools and equipments, efforts will be made to instill an innovative spirit in the talented young minds and to develop their technical skills.