Shillong: In a written message to students attending the Children's Science Congress, being organized simultaneously with the ongoing 96th Indian Science Congress here, former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam appealed to the young minds to 'Observe, Experiment and Think'.

He called upon students to pursue Science as a career with passion to meet the challenges and derive happiness through providing better quality of life to their brethren.

Dr. Kalam said, "It should be the mission of our budding scientists to see that they make scientific discoveries, which will lay the foundation for future technologies of the country leading to new cost-effective products for our people and also increase the wealth of the nation".

He further asked them to take, what he called, an "Eight point Oath".

The Children's Science Congress was inaugurated here at the campus of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) today by renowned scientist and Chancellor of NEHU, Prof. M.G.K. Menon.

The Congress provides an opportunity to hundreds of students in the hill capital of Meghalaya to have a glimpse of the Science and Technology scenario in the country.

The Children's Science Congress is supported by the Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (NCSTC) of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

About 23 states are participating with over 200 students putting up more than 100 stalls, representing states such as Uttarkhand, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, as well as the North-Eastern states.

Various subjects being projected in the exhibition include Space Technology, Environmental Awareness Projects, NCERT Science exhibits and Planet Earth and our Home-Explore, Care and Share etc.