Itanagar, Nov 26: The Department of Physics, Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, in association with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) Regional Council (RC) 17 and in collaboration with the IAPT Innovation Hub RC 06, CDPE, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and CIST, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur, inaugurated the State’s first “Curious Minds Innovation Hub” at the college’s seminar hall.
Students from various departments of DNGC participated in the programme, while several institutes of ICR, including Vivekananda Residential Public School and Vivekananda Central School, also benefited from the event.
Prof YK Vijay, former Director of CIST, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur, delivered an inspiring and highly interactive session. A key contributor to the establishment of IAPT Innovation Hubs across India, he shared his mission of making physics learning enjoyable, accessible and rooted in experimentation.
Introducing the concept of the IAPT Innovation Hub, Prof Vijay explained that it houses nearly 50 innovative, copyright-free scientific models developed over eight years to simplify complex ideas and promote learning through curiosity and hands-on exploration.
He demonstrated several fundamental concepts using simple but powerful models, including atomic configuration and crystal defects using magnetic coloured spheres, photon–atom interaction, Van der Waals potential, total internal reflection, and the Raman effect, helping students visualise abstract principles with clarity.
Prof Vijay also highlighted India’s rich scientific heritage, recalling the pioneering contributions of CV Raman, Meghnad Saha and SN Bose, whose work between 1921 and 1930 shaped modern physics. He noted that the inauguration of the Hub coincided meaningfully with the Centenary of Quantum Science. He added that this Hub marks the 86th Innovation Hub established in the country as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of IAPT.
Principal and Patron Dr MQ Khan described the inauguration of the Innovation Hub as “a step towards transforming the learning culture of the institution”. Emphasising the shift from conventional teaching to experiential learning, he said the Hub would provide a space for experimentation, collaboration and creative exploration across disciplines.
Encouraging students to make full use of the facility, he stated, “The Innovation Hub is yours — a place where questions matter more than answers and imagination is celebrated.”
Anil Kumar, Principal of Vivekananda Residential Public School, stressed the importance of reasoning, analytical thinking and the spirit of inquiry. Referring to Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, he reminded students that developing scientific temper is a fundamental duty of every citizen.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Dr Bandana Gogoi, HoD, Physics, highlighted IAPT’s academic initiatives such as National Standard Examinations, NGPE, workshops and lectures, and noted that DNGC had celebrated the International Year of Quantum Science this year, recalling students’ past national-level achievements.
The programme concluded with a hands-on demonstration and interactive session led by Prof Vijay.