Bhubaneswar: The SAI International School, Bhubaneswar, a leading educational institution, hosted SAITED 2025, one of India’s largest school-based science and technology fests envisioned by Late Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, Founder of SAI International Education Group on Wednesday.
The fest witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 5,000 students across government and private schools in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
This year’s theme, “Infinite Possibilities, Endless Realities: Science Beyond the Omniverse!”, set the tone for a day dedicated to exploration, experimentation, and innovative STEM learning. The campus came alive as young learners engaged in hands-on activities, showcased prototypes, and explored new-age scientific concepts.
The event was graced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who formally inaugurated the fest and engaged with the student innovators.
In his address, Majhi said, “Events like SAITED must be encouraged across Odisha as they play a vital role in strengthening STEM learning among students. Our young learners must be inspired to think higher, dream bigger, and innovate fearlessly. The future of our state lies in the hands of these bright minds who dare to imagine beyond boundaries.” He further added, “The Odisha Government is deeply committed to empowering education through enhanced infrastructure, technology-driven learning, and initiatives that nurture scientific curiosity. We will continue to support platforms that give children the opportunity to explore, experiment, and excel.”
The occasion was further elevated by the presence of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, ISRO Gaganyatri and distinguished IAF Test Pilot. The most captivating moment of SAITED 2025 was his hour-long session filled with powerful insights drawn from his journey. During his session, he offered students a rare and compelling glimpse into his space mission. He explained how the mission was executed from the meticulous pre-launch preparations to the precision required for operations in orbit.
He spoke about the challenges of surviving in space, describing how astronauts manage daily routines, adapt to microgravity, and maintain physical and mental discipline while away from Earth. Adding to the excitement, he showcased exclusive videos from his mission, allowing students to witness real onboard activities, movement inside the spacecraft, and breathtaking views from space. His narration brought the experience to life, leaving the audience captivated and deeply inspired by the realities of space exploration. His engaging interaction and thoughtful responses during the Q&A inspired students to think boldly, ask future-focused questions, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere charged with curiosity, excitement, and intellectual discovery.
Speaking about the session, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said, “Events like SAITED play a crucial role in nurturing a culture of science. Being here, I have found that the school has created an environment where scientific curiosity is alive, that energy came through in every conversation I had today. The creativity and confidence these students displayed are the foundations of a progressive nation. When young learners are given the opportunity to think boldly and experiment freely, they grow into the explorers and leaders of tomorrow.”
Like every year, SAITED 2025 hosted a diverse range of activities, including the Tech Fair, Start-Up Park, Med Talk, Minute Matters, Eureka, Science Serenade, Science Spell Bee, Math Maze, CODEx Gaming Lab, Aeromodelling, Crime Forensics, and several other experiential learning engagements.
Several esteemed experts conducted specialised workshops. The Crime Forensics workshop was conducted by experts from the Commissionerate of Police, offering students real-world insights into forensic investigation. The session was led by Sushree Sabinaya, Scientific Officer at the District Forensic Science Laboratory, Bhubaneswar UPD, who has been actively involved in major cases including murder, dacoity, and rape. The Aeromodelling session was conducted by Manas Kumar Samantaray, Chief Innovation Officer at AIC–Nalanda Institute of Technology; the CODEx workshop was facilitated by Dr. Debendra Kumar Muduli from C.V. Raman College of Engineering Foundation; and the ENERGIZE workshop was delivered by Dr. Debi Prasad Das, Jigyasa Nodal Officer, CSIR–IMMT.
About SAITED 2025, Dr. Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group, shared, “It is an overwhelming moment to see thousands of young learners come together to celebrate science, creativity, and imagination. SAITED is more than a fest, it is a movement that inspires children to think boldly, innovate courageously, and embrace limitless possibilities. When we encourage young minds to question the ‘impossible,’ they become the creators of tomorrow’s realities. This spirit of curiosity, confidence, and compassion is what we nurture at SAI International.”
The fest ended with a grand Valedictory Ceremony, but the real magic unfolded in the evening as students came together for a joyous celebration—an energetic cultural showcase that lit up the campus, featuring a spirited performance by singer Anuj Rehan that had the crowd cheering and singing along.
With its strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning, SAITED 2025 successfully ignited scientific curiosity and highlighted the immense potential of young learners to shape the future.
Q&A Highlights from the Interactive Session with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Q1. A SAI Angan student: “Sir, how do you handle microgravity? Isn’t it difficult to move around?”
Group Captain Shukla: At first, microgravity feels like your body has forgotten how to behave. Simple things like holding a pen become funny little challenges. But very quickly, your brain starts adjusting. You learn to move slowly, push gently, and use your hands more than your feet. The key is control and patience. And the best part is, once you get used to it, it’s like flying all the time! That feeling of floating is something you never forget.
Q2. A SAIoneer asked, “Sir, how do you deal with fear in space? Is it difficult to stay calm when you know you’re so far away from Earth?”
Group Captain Shukla responded, “Fear is natural; everyone feels it.” What matters is how you manage it. For us, training is the anchor. We train so rigorously, for so long, that even the most uncertain situations begin to feel familiar. In space, you don’t focus on the fear; you focus on the mission, on the checklist, on the responsibility you carry. And when you remind yourself that millions of people have trusted you to represent them, that sense of purpose keeps you grounded, even when you’re thousands of kilometres above the ground.
Q3. A student from a Government School asked, “Sir, how did you feel the moment you entered space? And how did Earth look from there?”
Group Captain Shukla answered, the moment you cross into space, there is a silence and stillness that cannot be described in words. It feels like stepping into another dimension. And when you look at Earth… it is breathtaking. You don’t see borders, you don’t see divisions, you see one beautiful blue planet floating in the darkness. That view changes something inside you.
Two SAI Angan students surprised him with exceptionally advanced queries. One asked what would happen if different isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen were used instead of their regular forms to propel a spacecraft, while another wanted to know how scientists determine the transfer window required for a rocket to perform a Trans-Lunar Injection and travel from Earth’s orbit to the Moon. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla smiled and noted that these questions ventured into deeper scientific territory, expressing his admiration for the students’ remarkable understanding at such a young age.
