MY Bharat Embodies the Dream of Dr. Kalam- Empowering Youth Through Innovation and Nation-Building: Raksha Khadse

National Kalam STEM & Quiz Conclave 2025 Marks 94th Birth Anniversary; 25 Student Innovations Selected for ISRO Mentoring

My Bharat embodies the very essence of Dr. Kalam’s dream empowering youth through innovation, science, and nation-first thinking- Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports

Rakesh Thapliyal

NEW DELHI: The Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse today positioned youth-led innovation and the national vision of Viksit Bharat at the heart of the National Kalam STEM and Quiz Conclave 2025.

The event, hosted by the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Foundation (AKIF) and held under the theme: “Vision for Space Mission – Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Scientists,” marked the 94th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The Minister addressed the gathering, which saw overwhelming participation from students representing 234 schools and 225 colleges nationwide, serving as a powerful platform for young innovators.

​Smt. Khadse firmly stated, “My Bharat embodies the very essence of Dr. Kalam’s dream empowering youth through innovation, science, and nation-first thinking.” She highlighted that national initiatives like Start-Up India, Make in India, and Viksit Bharat @2047 are actively fostering a new generation of self-reliant contributors to India’s growth story, directly linking government policy to Dr. Kalam’s legacy.

​The event was graced by several eminent personalities from India’s scientific and educational community, emphasizing its strategic importance, including Smt. Nigar Shaji, Project Director of the Aditya-L1 Solar Mission (ISRO), and Dr. P. Veeramuthuvel, Project Director of Chandrayaan-3, UR Rao Satellite Centre (ISRO). Also present were Prof. (Dr.) S.S. Agrawal, Distinguished Scientist, Director General, KIIT Group of Colleges, Gurugram, and APJMJ Sheik Dawood, Director of AI and Digital Solutions, Kryptos Info Systems, and Grand Nephew of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

​A major highlight was the final selection of 25 visionary student ideas from the hundreds of STEM presentations received. These exemplary projects will now be taken up with ISRO for further mentoring and development, serving as a fitting and impactful tribute to Dr. Kalam’s career in scientific exploration and space technology. Smt. Khadse concluded by noting that the youth are the architects of the nation’s future, stating that the journey toward Viksit Bharat will be powered by their creativity, curiosity, and courage to innovate.

The event concluded with a powerful reaffirmation of Dr. Kalam’s vision for a confident, capable, and compassionate India, encouraging the alignment of scientific pursuit with a broader social purpose.