THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARADEEP, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

Children must cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities to successfully navigate a rapidly changing world driven by artificial intelligence, technology and innovation, Odisha Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain said on Friday.

Addressing a felicitation ceremony organised by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) in partnership with Times Foundation, Swain said initiatives such as the AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship (AM/NS India TCTC) were helping strengthen the developmental foundation of school students and preparing them for the challenges of the future.

 “In a rapidly changing world driven by AI, technology and innovation, children must develop curiosity, critical thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving abilities and a learning mindset. AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship has helped strengthening this developmental foundation of the students,” Swain said.

He expressed happiness over the large-scale participation of students in the programme, noting that more than 4,000 school students from Paradeep and around 11,000 students from 54 schools across Odisha had participated.

 “It is a matter of happiness and pride for all of us that more than 4,000 school students participated from Paradeep and 11,000 students participated from 54 schools across Odisha. I thank AM/NS India and Times Foundation for the efforts made to find the talent in our region through this program,” he said.

Swain was speaking at the felicitation ceremony of the AM/NS India TCTC 2026 achievers held at Jayadev Sadan in Paradeep, where 34 students who demonstrated commendable performance in the championship were recognised.

The championship, aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is aimed at developing critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making skills among school students.

In Paradeep, more than 4,000 students from 21 schools participated in Round 1 of the championship. Nisan Mondal of Gobinda Chandra Upper Primary School qualified for Round 2 at the state level.

Ashutosh Telang, Director and Vice President-HR & Administration, AM/NS India, said the company was delighted to bring the national initiative to Odisha and expressed its commitment to expanding the programme in the coming editions.

 “We at AM/NS India are delighted to have brought such an important national initiative to Odisha. With over a million school students participating nationally, the impact is already significant, and we are committed to making the next editions even bigger, ensuring that more young minds benefit from this platform,” Telang said.

The ceremony was attended by Paradeep Municipality Chairman Basant Biswal, Paradeep Municipality Executive Officer Abhishek Panda, along with senior AM/NS India leadership, including Dr Debabrata Dash, Head-HR (East), Bhawesh Jha, Plant Head, Paradeep Pellet Plant, Dr Vikas Yadvendu, Head-CSR, and Times Foundation Head-Operations Arushi Mathur. Debendra Rout, Sarpanch, Nuagarh, and Sasmita Behera, Sarpanch, Paradeepgarh, were also present.

The dignitaries highlighted the importance of nurturing critical thinking among students and the role of education in shaping future leaders. The programme also featured reflections from teachers and students before the achievers were felicitated.

At the national level, the AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship is engaging around one million students from Classes 3 to 12 across 4,000 schools. The programme will culminate in a Grand Finale on September 19, 2026, at Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in New Delhi, where top-performing students will be recognised for their exceptional abilities.