Hyderabad|India|June'2012: Asia’s biggest Olympiad—The Science Olympiad Foundation organized a felicitation function in city on 17th June at Sri Satya Sai Nigamagamam to award the Winning students, teachers and principals from Andhra Pradesh.Eight top ranked students were given away awards.

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is an educational foundation and a non-profit organisation which promotes Science, Computer Science, Mathematics and English in India and other places like Singapore, Oman, Qatar, Nepal, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, U.A.E. and Durban. Every year, it organises four Olympiads in each of these places, namely the National Cyber Olympiad (NCO), the National Science Olympiad (NSO), the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) and the International English Olympiad (IEO). Participating students receive prizes. The SOF encourages participants to register through their schools, rather than as individuals.

The eight students who included Interanatioonal top one, two and three rank holders include Priya Chowdary Lingutla, student of class 9 of Chirec Public School, Hyderabad, won a cash scholarship of Rs one lac in the International English Olympiad, Ananya G Sangameshwar, student of class 6 of Kennedy High The Global School, Hyderabad won a lap top in the International English Olympiad.

The International Rank Two holders include Uday Kiran Damodara, student of class 9 of Etasi - Timpany School, Vishakhapatnam won a cash scholarship of Rs 50,000/ in the International Mathematics Olympiad, Pratheeka D Reddy. student of class 4 of Narayana Primary School, Nellore won a lap top in the International English Olympiad, CV Venkata Sudheer, student of class 9 of Narayana E-Techno School, Kadapa won a cash scholarship of Rs 50,000 in the International English Olympiad, Kaushik Ponnapalli, student of class 11 of Sri Chaitanya Junior College Vishakhapatnam won a cash scholarship of Rs 50,000/ in the International English Olympiad.

The International Rank Three holders include K Akhil, student of class 2 of Sri Vyshnavi Techno School, Anakapalli won a lap top in the International English Olympiad, Sri Venkata Navya Mounika S, student of class 11 of FIIT JEE, Hyderabad won cash scholarship of Rs 25,000/ in the International English Olympiad. A total of 180 winners, including principals, teachers and students were felicitated. These awards were presented by Chief Guest Mr. Ajit Rangnekar, Dean of the Indian School of Business and Guest of Honor, Ms Gwendydd Hardcastle, Head British Council Teaching Centre, Hyderabad. Earlier they lighted the lamp and inaugurated the function.

Speaking on the occasion Ajit Rangnekar complimented Science Olympiad Foundation for their noble work. And wished that their tribe increases. Speaking further he added that we place too much emphasis on marks, grades, percentages and being top rather on personality, values, special skills and talents. Which he said is very unfortunate. Adding further he stated that 3 crore new Indians are added every year in this world. Considering one students before and after the age, today’s child’s competition is 10crore. He needs to compete in Indian at any given time with 10 crore children. Competition is extremely tough. You need to have more passion than hardwork, he told the young students. Asked if anybody present was willing to become a politician. If get an opportunity to become a politician, don’t turn down he said. Politics affect our lives immensely. Intelligent and talent must plunge into politics he said.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Gwendydd Hardcastle said their collaboration with Science Olympiad Foundation is very important to us as they share our values. I too was a week student in Maths. If organizations like Science Olympiad Foudnation existed when I was child, I would have immensely benefitted. Today’s students are lucky, she said.

Earlier welcoming the gathering Raj Marwaha, Driector of the Foundation said it is the largest Olympiads in Asia and during the 2011-12 academic year more than 20000 schools have participated from over 1000 cities. Millions of children enrolled for the Olympiads from 14 countries in Asia. SOF awards over 25000 winners from the four Olympiads in Computers, Science, Mathematics & English. Total prize is worth approx Rs. 5 crores. These prizes are distributed among International and State winners and it includes top 25 winners for each class in each of the 4 Olympiads, he stated.

Another Director Anil Ahalwal, who is the son of Mr. Mahabir Singh, the founder and Executive Director of Science Olympiad Foudation said, they has been conducting exams since past over 15 years. SOF encourages development of a scientific aptitude through innovative activities and use of information technology in the learning process across the globe. SOF conducts four Olympiad exams which includes SOF – National Cyber Olympiad (SOF – NCO), SOF – National Science Olympiad (SOF – NSO), SOF – International Mathematics Olympiad ( SOF – IMO) and SOF – International English Olympiad (SOF – IEO). SOF – IEO is held in association with of British Council.

Mr. Mahabir Singh, the founder & Executive Director of SOF, who could not make to the function shared in a statement that SOF has been conducting Olympiads for the past over 15 years. Till the past years, only the International winning students were recognized and rewarded. However, SOF decided to felicitate state toppers in public functions to acknowledge and motivate performance. SOF holds awards functions in 17 states annually in which thousands of winning students, teachers & principals are rewarded and recognized.

SOF aims to identify, motivate and reward talent and performance – both at the International & State level. It attempts to develop a spirit of competitiveness among students and to prepare them to face competition at the city, state and international level, he informed.

Priay Chowdary Lingutla, student of class 9 who stood in first rank in International English Olympiad said, it was a beautiful platform to test oneself to who where one stands in competition nationally. I am glad I could make use of this. She suggested that more students must test their waters.

Uday Kiran Damodara, student of Class 9 from Etasitimpany School, Vishakhapatnam who is the International Two Rank Holder in Mathematics Olympiad said by participating in such exams one can improve their performance, because as we are living in a global village we need to get ready for global competition. .

-June 2012