The Chandrashekhar auditorium of IUCAA at Pune University campus where the glittering function was held was filled to its capacity, and students listened with rapt attention to Dr Ratnaswamy who was the chief guest. ``Science is something which is to be practiced in daily life. Unfortunately science has not penetrated our culture. We believe in superstitions, and such other things, and think that science is something which has to be practiced only in the labs,'' Dr Ratnaswamy observed.

There were over ten thousand entries for the competition. Students of 88 schools participated. In recognition of the special efforts of the students, fifty additional consolation prizes were given, apart from the 20 special consolation prizes and the 30 praiseworthy consolation prizes. The top three winners were Ritwik Ghosh of St Judes School Dehu Road, Megha Upadhyay of K V school Ganeshkhind, and Munira Dhariwala of St Anne's School. The first three winners won the grand prizes of a personal computer, Sunny Zip, and a colour television, besides citations and trophies.

At the outset, Dr Ratnaswamy opined that the parents and students thank the The Indian Express for providing information about scientists. He said the students who are on the threshold of the professional life should remember that learning about science gives one a scientific attitude towards life. ``Despite the fact that the country has produced world renowned scientists, India still remains a poor country. It is so because we do not practice what we learn. We should question our old superstitious traditions. Children can do it because they have an open mind which is not cluttered with old traditions.''

Praising the hard efforts of the students, The Indian Express, Pune branch manager Rajesh Rane said the response to the Quest series was simply amazing. He added that the school principals in their feedback said that the series has been of great help to the children in getting information about scientists and inventions. He gave information to the students about the new series which is to begin from September 6.

Resident Editor of The Indian Express said, ``We should take great pride in being Indians. The country has produced the world's best scientists and we have the best mathematical brains among the world. Most students however do not have knowledge about our scientists, but the blame here lies with the elders who do not give proper information to the children.'' Opining that most students and elders have no information about the gallant men who fought in the wars of the country, a new series about the unsung heroes of our freedom was being started. He expected that the response to the series would grow and hoped for more than 15,000 entries in the competition.

Among others present on the occasion were Dr Arvind Paranjpye of the IUCAA who appraised the students about the science park, and Chandrakant Mahajan, a senior artiste and a member of the panel of judges. A short film titled Powers Of Ten was screened prior to the prize distribution ceremony. The panel of judges including Nareen Shaikh, Jeetandra Shitole, and Venkatraman were felicitated by Dr Ratnaswamy. The students and parents visited the Science Park. Roy Abraham compered, while Rajdeep Singh proposed a vote of thanks.

Series on war heroes next!
The next series of Quest titled ``Badges and Honors,'' will begin from September 6, and will feature profiles of soldiers who won gallantry and other major awards. The students are required to get more information about the soldiers who feature in the series. The details about the competition will soon be known at the schools, The Indian Express Pune branch manager Rajesh Rane said.