Tag: Science

EduConnect

Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 Concludes with Call to Nurture Young Knowledge Creators

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The two-day Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 – “Taare Zameen Par” concluded on Saturday evening at Samrat Garden, Margao, reinforcing the message that India’s future depends on empowering students to become creators of knowledge rather than mere consumers of technology.

Organised by the Board of Innovative Education (BIE), Goa, in collaboration with A.J. Academy for Research and Development, the fair was held on January 9 and 10 and witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 200 students representing 10 schools. A total of 54 research-based projects were presented across Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences, in both individual and group categories. The event attracted more than 500 student visitors, along with researchers, academicians, parents, science activists and members of the public, transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of scientific exchange.

The concluding ceremony was graced by Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, Director (Headquarters), CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Dr Singh emphasised that while India imports a large amount of technology, the country has immense potential to generate its own solutions. He urged students to move beyond the narrow pursuit of monetary success and focus instead on knowledge creation. Praising the quality of projects on display, he said the research showcased at the fair offered strong hope for the future of Indian science.

Earlier, Muhammad Abdullah Javed, Director of A.J. Academy for Research and Development, highlighted how the science fair had instilled confidence in students, enabling them to present ideas clearly and respond thoughtfully to questions. He stressed the importance of collaboration between parents, institutions and students in nurturing innovation and guiding young talent towards meaningful futures.

The welcome address was delivered by Mrs Meenaz Bhanu, Secretary of the Board of Innovative Education. Dr Waliur Rahman was felicitated for receiving the prestigious Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award, India’s highest science honour, conferred by the President of India for outstanding contributions to scientific research. In his presidential address, Asif Hussain, Chairman of the Board of Innovative Education, reminded the audience that scientific inventions must be used for societal development and problem-solving rather than destruction.

Projects were evaluated by an expert panel of judges from diverse scientific backgrounds. Several awards were presented across categories and age groups, recognising originality, research depth and practical relevance. From local composting methods and natural water purifiers to studies on microplastics, soil erosion, renewable energy and environmental sustainability, the projects reflected strong scientific inquiry and social awareness.

The fair concluded with the distribution of mementos to participating schools, felicitation of judges and guests, presentation of awards, and the National Anthem. The Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 stood out for its emphasis on independent research, collaboration and innovation, laying a strong foundation for future scientists, researchers and problem-solvers in the state.

Human Interest

Rare Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Makes Closest Approach to Earth on December 19

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth on Friday, December 19, marking a significant moment in the journey of one of the rarest cosmic visitors ever observed in our solar system. The comet was discovered on July 1 by NASA-funded ATLAS telescopes in Chile and has since drawn global attention from astronomers and space agencies.

3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object known to have passed through our solar system, following 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. Analysis of its trajectory shows that the comet originated from beyond the solar system and will eventually return to interstellar space after completing its passage through the inner regions around the sun.

At its closest approach, the comet will come no nearer than approximately 1.8 astronomical units from Earth, or about 168 million miles (270 million kilometers), according to the European Space Agency. This distance is nearly twice the average distance between the Earth and the sun, ensuring that the comet poses no threat to Earth or any other planet as it passes through the inner solar system.

Despite the safe distance, the flyby is of major scientific interest. Observing the comet near its closest approach allows astronomers to study the dust and gases released from its icy nucleus as it warms under the sun’s radiation. These observations provide rare insights into how comets and planetary materials form around stars beyond our own solar system.

In recent months, several observatories and space agencies have focused their instruments on 3I/ATLAS. New images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and the JUICE Jupiter probe were released recently, showing the interstellar traveler speeding through the inner solar system. The comet’s passage is also being shared with the public through a free livestream hosted by Gianluca Masi at the Virtual Telescope Project, scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. EST on December 18, weather permitting.

As 3I/ATLAS continues its brief visit, scientists hope the data gathered will deepen our understanding of the building blocks of planetary systems beyond our own, making this fleeting encounter a valuable chapter in the study of interstellar objects.

Travel

IndiGo Cancels 200 Flights Amid Pilot Shortages, Crew No-Shows, and Escalating Operational Chaos

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

IndiGo faced one of its worst operational breakdowns in recent times on December 3, 2025, as skewed crew planning and shortages in pilot availability resulted in the cancellation of at least 200 flights and triggered massive delays across the country. Some aircraft were grounded for up to 12 hours, made worse by unexpected cabin crew no-shows in Mumbai, pushing the airline into crisis mode and forcing it to issue a public apology.

The situation had been building for weeks, but Wednesday marked a tipping point. At Delhi airport, frustrated passengers of a delayed Rajkot flight began chanting slogans after waiting six hours beyond their scheduled 5:40 a.m. departure, eventually taking off only at 11:30 a.m. Similar scenes unfolded in Mumbai, where passengers on a flight to Patna waited for hours as its departure time slipped from 11:15 a.m. to an estimated 8 p.m. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport witnessed 62 cancellations for a second consecutive day, while Hyderabad saw 31 cancellations and Delhi 37.

The heart of the crisis lies in a severe pilot shortage fueled by the complete rollout of stricter duty-rest norms on November 1. These regulations, created to address rising concerns about crew fatigue, had been deferred by the government for a year to allow airlines sufficient time for planning. Their full enforcement came only after pilot associations won a case in the Delhi High Court earlier this year. IndiGo’s pilots have argued that the airline failed to prepare, with rostering teams pleading with crew members to withdraw sick leave and even offering 1.5x salary for forgoing privilege leave in recent weeks—efforts that have largely fallen flat.

Government data revealed the depth of the disruption: IndiGo recorded only 35% on-time performance on December 2 and under 50% on December 1. In its statement, the airline attributed the chaos to a combination of “unforeseen operational challenges,” including technical glitches, winter-season schedule changes, congestion, adverse weather, and the updated crew-rostering rules. These factors, it said, created a compounding impact the airline had not anticipated.

To stabilise operations, IndiGo announced that it would adjust schedules over the next 48 hours, signaling that further cancellations were likely. Meanwhile, the pilot body ALPA India cautioned against any attempts to dilute the fatigue-management norms, arguing that IndiGo’s failure lay not in the rules themselves but in insufficient resource planning. The organisation reiterated that any relaxation in duty limits would compromise both passenger and crew safety at a time when pilots are already stretched to the upper limit of 13-hour duty periods, with long-standing grievances such as stagnant salaries despite significant airline profits further aggravating the workforce.

The unfolding crisis reflects deeper tensions within India’s fast-growing aviation sector, where aggressive expansion often collides with the need to ensure adequate rest, safety, and working conditions for crew members. IndiGo now faces the challenge of restoring normalcy while grappling with the structural issues that pushed its operations into turmoil.

EduConnect

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce Hosts Inter Higher Secondary Elocution Competition on “AI and the Changing World”

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce, Bori-Ponda, successfully organized an Inter Higher Secondary Elocution Competition at the Ponda Taluka level on November 13, 2025, held on the college campus with the thought-provoking theme, “AI and the Changing World.” The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of various higher secondary schools across Ponda Taluka, who delved into multiple aspects of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on society.

In his inaugural address, Principal Professor Achut P. Pednekar congratulated all participants and emphasized the increasing relevance of AI in education and professional life. He encouraged students to leverage AI as a tool for personal and academic growth while cautioning against over-reliance to preserve human creativity, critical thinking, and independent judgment.

The competition was judged by Ms. Savari Sainekar, Computer Teacher at M.F.S’s Higher Secondary School, and Mrs. Sonia Desai, Librarian of the host college. Both judges praised participants for their confidence, well-researched speeches, and eloquent delivery. Ms. Sainekar highlighted that “AI is not something to be feared but a valuable asset that can help us achieve our best potential,” while Mrs. Desai encouraged students to embrace learning as a lifelong journey.

Following a series of compelling speeches, the winners were announced. Mast. Lysander Dias from Smt. Prabhavati Ankush Shirodkar Higher Secondary School secured the First Prize, while Miss Honey Priya from Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s Higher Secondary School was awarded the Second Prize. Miss Isha Borkar, also from Smt. Prabhavati Ankush Shirodkar Higher Secondary School, won the Third Prize, and Mast. Adil Hassan Momin from Dr. K.B. Hedgewar Higher Secondary School received a Consolation Prize. All participants were recognized with certificates of participation for their efforts and enthusiasm.

The programme concluded with Principal Prof. Pednekar once again congratulating winners and participants, reinforcing the importance of using technology wisely. The event was anchored skillfully by Ms. Florencia Souza, College Counsellor, and concluded with a formal vote of thanks and a group photograph, marking the end of an intellectually stimulating and successful event that ignited critical dialogue about the future of AI.

Human Interest

November 2025 Skywatching Guide: Meteor Showers, Planet Highlights & a Moon–Star Dance

Tanisha Cardozo

November 2025 promises a month of spectacular sights for anyone looking up at the night sky. The month begins on November 5 with the waxing Beaver Moon rising in the evening, its warm glow lighting up early November skies and offering a perfect preview of the month’s celestial treats.

The next day, November 6, the Moon drifts past the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. This cluster of delicate blue-white stars appears close to the bright Moon in the early morning hours. Although the Moon’s glow may slightly outshine the stars, binoculars can reveal the cluster in all its splendor.

On November 12, the Northern Taurid meteor shower peaks. Known not for quantity but for quality, Taurids produce slow-moving, bright fireballs that linger in the sky, delighting observers with occasional dramatic streaks of light.

The Leonid meteor shower will follow on the night of November 17–18. With little moonlight to interfere, stargazers can expect 10 to 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. While usually moderate in activity, the Leonids have a history of impressive storms, offering graceful streaks across the night.

November 21 brings a dual celestial spectacle. Uranus reaches opposition, its closest and brightest appearance of the year, visible through binoculars or a small telescope as a tiny pale-blue disk. On the same night, the Alpha Monocerotid meteor shower may surprise observers with sudden, short-lived bursts of meteors, making it a wild-card shower to watch.

November 2025 is a reminder to pause and marvel at the night sky. From the early Beaver Moon to meteor showers, planetary highlights, and the Moon’s dance with the Pleiades, each evening offers the chance to witness the beauty and mystery of the cosmos unfold.