Padma Shri Professor H.C. Verma Conducts a Unique Physics Workshop in Tripura

Agartala, May 20, 2025, By Our Correspondent

A special workshop on experiential learning in Physics has been organised by the Directorate of School Education, Government of Tripura, in collaboration with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). The week-long workshop, being held at the SCERT Auditorium from May 19 to May 25, brings together 60 Physics teachers from Vidyajyoti schools across the state.This significant initiative is the result of the committed efforts of Shri Nripendra  Chandra Sharma, Director of School Education, whose vision and initiative have development programme possible. The inaugural session was graced by Padma Shri awardee and eminent physicist Prof. Harish Chandra Verma, Emeritus Professor at IIT Kanpur, who is the chief resource person for the workshop. Also present on the occasion were Shri Rakesh Debbarma, Joint Director, Directorate of Secondary Education; resource persons from Shiksha Sopan and IAPT – Smita Fangeria and Ranjit Kumar; Swapan Majumdar, Academic Head of the Vidyajyoti Project; and officials from various levels of SCERT.Prof. H.C. Verma, widely known for his widely acclaimed two-volume book Concepts of Physics, is a renowned Indian nuclear physicist and former professor at IIT Kanpur. He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2021 by the Government of India for his outstanding contributions to Physics education.In this workshop, participating teachers are being introduced to hands-on methods for simplifying complex Physics concepts using everyday objects and materials from their immediate surroundings, beyond the confines of conventional laboratory equipment. Prof.Verma and his team are guiding teachers through creative and active learning modules on topics such as mechanics, electromagnetism, and optics. The sessions also include discussions on how JEE-level questions are designed and how such topics can be broken down into simple, activity-based learning experiences for students.Speaking at the inaugural session, Director Shri Sharma highlighted the importance of nurturing creativity and scientific inquiry among teachers. He also made a noteworthy announcement regarding a forthcoming collaboration between the Tripura Government and IIT Kanpur. As per this initiative, eminent professors from IIT Kanpur will conduct free online classes for ambitious students of Tripura who aspire to pursue higher studies in premier national institutions. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being finalised in this regard. As a preparatory step, a delegation of senior teachers led by the Joint Director of Secondary Education has already visited IIT Kanpur to explore collaborative opportunities. In his address, Joint Director Shri Rakesh Debbarma encouraged teachers to actively participate in hands-on experiments and innovative teaching methods. Swapan Majumdar emphasised the importance of competency-based education as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the need to connect classroom learning with real-life environments while fostering students’ ability to ask questions.As part of the workshop programme, a special interactive event titled “Meet the Scientist – Joyful Journey Through Physics: Unveiling Nature’s Secrets” will be held on Friday, May 23, at 10:30 AM at Hall No. 1 of Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan. Students from Class VIII and above will have the opportunity to interact directly with Prof. Verma, gaining valuable insights into the joy of scientific discovery, ethical citizenship, perseverance, and strategies for preparing for competitive examinations.This workshop marks a new chapter in the professional development of teachers in Tripura and sets a benchmark for future subject-specific training sessions. According to sources in the Education Department, similar workshops in other subjects, featuring leading educationists from across the country, are already being planned.