Nagaland student among top 60 at nat’l INSPIRE-MANAK competition

Kohima, October 19 (MExN): Four students from Nagaland represented the state at the 12th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research – Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge (INSPIRE-MANAK) scheme, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from October 12 to 14, 2026.Among the four participants, Latongkumla of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) Tuli, Mokokchung, secured a place among the top 60 awardees. She received an award and citation from Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, at the award ceremony on October 14.The four students were selected to represent Nagaland at the national-level competition following the state-level competition and mentoring programme organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Nagaland, in Kohima.The other three awardees were Ninile Tenenu of Mt Hermon School, Kohima, who presented a multipurpose pen; Wapanginla Imsong of KV Tuli, Mokokchung, who developed an eco-friendly bamboo dustbin; and B Sunga Phom of Azedon School, Kohima, who presented an artificial intelligence-based maid helper robot.Latongkumla’s project was an eco-friendly foldable umbrella.The INSPIRE-MANAK scheme is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, implemented in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation-India. It aims to encourage students from Classes 6 to 12 to develop original, science-based innovative ideas and compete at district, state and national levels.Selected students receive financial assistance of Rs 10,000, transferred to their bank accounts, to develop prototypes or projects based on their ideas for participation in subsequent stages of the competition.In a statement, Team Nagaland expressed appreciation for the participation of all four awardees and highlighted Latongkumla’s achievement in securing a place among the top 60 at the national-level competition.The team also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology, DST, New Delhi, the National Innovation Foundation-India, and Shohulo Rengma, director of SCERT Nagaland, Kohima, for their support and guidance.The information was issued by Daniel Thong Seb, State Nodal Officer (SNO) for INSPIRE-MANAK and vice-principal of SCERT Nagaland, Kohima.