Rameswaram/Delhi – In a vibrant tribute to India’s “People’s President,” the APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation (AKIF) hosted the National Kalam Space Quiz Conclave 2025 to celebrate the 94th birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The event, held on October 15th, brought together students, educators, and innovators from across the country to honor Dr. Kalam’s legacy through intellectual competition and scientific demonstration.
Empowering the “Strength of Development”
The celebration opened with remarks from Sheikh Salim, co-founder and grand-nephew of Dr. Kalam, who reminded the audience that Dr. Kalam always viewed the young minds of India as the core strength of national development. The two-day event included paper presentations for school and college students, focusing on innovation and the future of Indian space exploration as the nation looks toward its 100th year of independence in 2047.
A Royal Tribute: The “Super Sensory” Prodigy
One of the most remarkable highlights of the anniversary was a demonstration by Sai Pranav, a young prodigy from Pondicherry who holds 75 world records for activities performed while blindfolded. As a “royal tribute” to Dr. Kalam, Sai Pranav completed an iconographic portrait of the late President while blindfolded.
Beyond his artistic tribute, Sai Pranav demonstrated “super sensory” skills by identifying expressions, reading ID card details, and even identifying the serial number on a 500-rupee note, all while completely blindfolded. His achievements, which include designing pico and cube satellites, served as a powerful inspiration for the students in attendance.
The National Space Quiz: Testing the Next Generation
The centerpiece of the day was the National Kalam Space Quiz Conclave, conducted by Sankri Madam. The competition was structured into multiple rigorous rounds, including:
• Basics of Cosmology: Covering topics like the Big Bang theory, Kepler’s Laws, and planetary characteristics.
• ISRO History & Technology: Testing knowledge on India’s launch vehicles (SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV) and historic missions like Aryabhata and Mangalyaan.
• Advanced Aerospace Concepts: Probing deep into satellite orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO), cryogenic engines, and the Gaganyaan program.
The quiz utilized interactive learning demonstrations, such as using student volunteers to illustrate Kepler’s Second Law (the law of equal areas), making complex physics accessible and engaging.
Results and Recognition
After seven intense rounds, including anagram challenges and role-playing activities to explain aerospace concepts, the winners were announced:
• First Rank: Team 2 (comprising students from MSIT Janakpuri and other colleges) secured the top spot with a score of 125.5 points.
• Second Rank: Team 4 followed closely with 114 points.
• Third Rank: Team 1 took the third podium spot with 107.5 points.
The winners expressed their excitement, with one student noting that winning at such a prestigious event was a dream realized in their final year of school.
Looking Toward 2047
The event concluded with an eye toward the future. The foundation announced that the Mission Directors of Aditya L1 and Chandrayaan-3 were expected to join the valedictory session to felicitate the winners. Organizers emphasized that this conclave is just the beginning, with plans to expand the event annually leading up to Dr. Kalam’s 100th birth anniversary in six years.
As the session closed, the message remained clear: whether in science, technology, or any other field, the goal is to become a “perfectionist” and a “living Kalam” for the nation
