Dr Jitendra Singh urges CSIR labs to invite at least one parent per participant so that families can better appreciate the value of scientific exploration

Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the aspirations of India’s youth must be met with 3 "A”—Awareness, Aptitude and Avenue.

The Minister underscored the need to channel the scientific enthusiasm among school students into sustained growth opportunities.

Speaking at the celebrations of the CSIR Jigyasa programme’s “One Day as a Scientist” (ODAS) week at the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, the Minister called for deeper engagement with students, schools, parents, and industry to shape the scientific future of India.

Building on that vision, Dr. Jitendra Singh suggested a series of refinements to the ongoing Jigyasa initiatives. First, he proposed involving parents directly in the ODAS experience—urging CSIR labs to invite at least one parent per participant so that families can better appreciate the value of scientific exploration. He stressed that such engagement would prevent students from being discouraged at home due to lack of understanding.

Second, Dr Jitendra Singh recommended a reciprocal model titled “One Day as a Teacher”, where CSIR scientists visit the schools of participating students, especially those from smaller towns and rural areas. This, he said, would not only validate the achievements of the students but also inspire an entire school community.

Third, the Minister advised strengthening private sector involvement by encouraging industry partners—like those who supported the EPIC Hackathon—to adopt promising students or projects, providing mentorship and possibly financial support. This would help bridge the gap between school-level innovation and real-world application, he said.

Finally, the Minister encouraged the programme coordinators to continuously track student outcomes to better understand emerging interests and align future initiatives with evolving aspirations. These measures, he said, would help sustain the scientific momentum generated through ODAS and related programmes.