RAIPUR,CG: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur celebrated National Space Day with a special event attended by Director Dr. N. V. Ramana Rao, Dean (Student Welfare) Dr. Nitin Jain, faculty members, and students.

The event commenced with Dr. N. V. Swamy Naidu formally declaring National Space Day open. Dr. Rao emphasized the importance of the day, highlighting this year's theme, ‘Touching Lives while Touching the Moon’. He elaborated on how space technology profoundly impacts daily life, from communication to environmental monitoring, making it a vital part of modern society.

A key highlight of the event was an online speaker session by ISRO scientist Abhijit Kibe, who provided insights into India’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. Kibe discussed the significance of National Space Day and ISRO's milestones, offering a comprehensive overview of the Indian Human Space Program and its global context. He also addressed the challenges of human spaceflight, including space radiation and altered gravity, providing a deep understanding of the complexities involved.

The SpaceNovas team showcased their "CanSat Mechanisms" project, igniting student interest in space exploration. The event also featured a quiz competition, "Bharat in Space: Exploring India's Space Program," where Rishabh Raj, Aryan, and Ishan Daharia secured the top three positions. A poster exhibition on India's space achievements further inspired participants.

Earlier in the day, NIT Raipur hosted a live webcast of the inaugural National Space Day celebration from Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, featuring an address by President Droupadi Murmu. The webcast, attended by Dr. Rao, faculty, and students, included awards for national-level technical competitions and videos showcasing ISRO's accomplishments. President Murmu praised ISRO's historic efforts, particularly the successful Chandrayaan mission, underscoring the significance of India's advancements in space exploration.