Bibek Kumar Pandit from St. Xaviers College selected as one of 5 winners to represent NEPAL at IOAA

National Astronomy Olympiad 2014 ( NAO-2014), first Astronomy Olympiad in Nepal, has finally selected its 5 winners who will participate in the 8th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) during August in Suceava, Romania. NAO 2014 was launched in the month of January, 2014 and the applications were opened the same time by holding selection exam on March 22 where many participants from all across Nepal participated out of which 20 students were selected. Later in May,  Pre-Closed Camp was held with 12 students  participating and Closed Camp from June 1-7 where 5 winners - Ashirbad Acharya, Bibek Kumar Pandit, H C Regan Babu Bhatta, Kiran Adhikari and Prabesh Koirala selected through our closed camp to represent Nepal at IOAA with the Nepal delegation.

Here is what Bibek Kumar Pandit has to share with +View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई -

" First of all I am very grateful to NASO and NAO for providing me this platform to enhance my talent. And I would also like to thank all other members of NAO for understanding my ability and selecting me among the 5 members who will be representing our nation in the IOAA. 

I'm feeling very happy about being selected and felling more and more responsible today. First of all when I heard the announcement of the NAO on my College's notice board, I thought, "At least there is someone in Nepal too who admire the talent in the field in astronomy" and the very next day I met Kishor Acharya brother who gave me adequate information about the selection process and also gave me a handbook. I read it and filled the form the very next day. I prepared for the exam and then gave it which was fine enough. After one or two months, the result was out and I was very happy to have my name in the list. Then after my board exams when I had already got 2 assignments before the exams, I prepared it and also completed my third assignment. Then arrived the day of initiation of the closed camp. I was ready for it and had already made my mind to give a tough challenge to the other competitors. My dad has been saying me, 

"If you want to be on time be before time."

So, I reached the assigned destination before 1P.M. which was the given time. I'd a good time in the closed camp. I learned many new things and understood the talent of many new faces. 

When I analyze the whole closed camp I think all the competitors were one over the other but I think the judges have selected the best 5 today. 

Today I think I've done 10% of the task for myself and my career in IOAA but I haven't done anything till now for my nation. I along with other four members will be representing our nation in the IOAA. I feel proud of myself that I can do something to contribute to the good name of the nation. I know I will perform excellently there and every bit of my potential and do as good as possible. This would also be a great opportunity for building my career and help in my future too. The travel to Europe would give me a new experience.  Eventually, it would be a prestige feeling to all the Nepalese people and especially the lovers of Astronomy."

+View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is the outreach partner of +National Astronomy Olympiad 2014 and will be sharing our conversation with all the five winners in our upcoming post.

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Photos from the Closed Camp

Post by National Astronomy Olympiad 2014.

ATHEISM

My father is Hindu. so is my mother. I am not afraid to call  what I am.  am an atheist and proud of it.  will not apologize for what I  do and don’t believe. I will not rename myself in order to hide from hatred, and I will not stay isolated out of the fear of being demonized when united. I can’t stay silent while witnessing cruelty and injustice because I am not just an atheist — I am an atheist who cares.

"Atheists are one of the fastest growing minorities in the world, and many people are choosing to give voice to their views publicly rather than hiding their lack of religious beliefs from their communities. In some cases, this public declaration of atheism can lead to social backlash from friends and family; in other areas, it can even be physically dangerous to admit to atheism." : Atheist Republic

Oxford  defines Atheism as "Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God" which may be true for some atheists, in fact very few, but not for all. Every atheist has their own definition and perception of atheism. However, they land up with same conclusion. Atheism simply refers to lack of belief in deities. We, as atheists, do not challenge the existence of god. We simply do  not bother about it, at least I do not. In a broad sense, atheists can be synonymous to realistic. Every atheist may not have same view on a particular matter.There is no degree or type of atheism.

Atheists are not anti-theists; Anti-theism is an attitude of opposition or metaphysical revolt against God. Atheist are tolerant, unlike the anti-theists. We respect the theists and their beliefs but we revolt against injustice, especially when it's in the name of religion or god. We never ask theists to justify  their beliefs. Not all our friends are atheists. We do not  force atheism on anyone, it's just a person's view. Point to be noted : Atheism is not a religion.

No one is born Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Jews or Buddhist or Sikh; No one's born as atheist either ! We can also find many theists in disguise : Theists as long as they are helpless or in need. Take some time, look at yourself and decide who you are !

Feel free and  post your religious  view in the comment box !! 

- Anurag

Kiran Adhikari from St. Xaviers College selected as one of 5 winners to represent NEPAL at IOAA

National Astronomy Olympiad 2014 ( NAO-2014), first Astronomy Olympiad in Nepal, has finally selected its 5 winners who will participate in the 8th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) during August in Suceava, Romania. NAO 2014 was launched in the month of January, 2014 and the applications were opened the same time by holding selection exam on March 22 where many participants from all across Nepal participated out of which 20 students were selected. Later in May,  Pre-Closed Camp was held with 12 students  participating and Closed Camp from June 1-7 where 5 winners - Ashirbad Acharya, Bibek Kumar Pandit, H C Regan Babu Bhatta, Kiran Adhikari and Prabesh Koirala selected through our closed camp to represent Nepal at IOAA with the Nepal delegation.


Here is what Kiran Adhikari has to share with +View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई -

"Hi everyone, I am 19yrs old Kiran Adhikari born in Dhading. Ever since, I was a teenager, I tinkered with astrophysics and astronomy. It was my hobby, my passion and my way of learning. Like most kids, I also enjoyed reading biographies of Hawking, Einstein and Newton. By the time , I graduated High School, I knew I wanted to do astrophysics. From that point on, everything fell into place. My life resolved around it. 

Now , my ultimate aim is to become a successful theoretical physicist. 

I was extremely happy to hear about Astronomy Olympiad and thought I should get it. So, I worked hard for it. And finally, I got selected for International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA ) going to be held at Suceava, Romania where I will be representing Nepal. I think this will become my great ladder to climb my mountain and obviously I am so glad that this happiness is getting unable to expressed in few words. I am really so so happy. At the same time , I am also feeling responsible since I am going to represent my nation. I will try my best to give my best in Romania and keep my nation's pride up."

+View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is the outreach partner of +National Astronomy Olympiad 2014 and will be sharing our conversation with all the five winners in our upcoming post.

Support for our crowd funding campaign. Spread the word

Keep subscribing and following us 

Photos from the Closed Camp

Post by National Astronomy Olympiad 2014.