Paradeep,: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), in partnership with Times Foundation, hosted a felicitation ceremony to recognise the achievers of the AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship (AM/NS India TCTC) 2026 at Jayadev Sadan, Paradeep on September 04, 2026. 34 students who demonstrated commendable performance from across schools in Paradeep were felicitated on the occasion. The championship, aligning with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is designed to equip school students with critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills. In Paradeep, more than 4,000 students from 21 schools participated in Round 1. One student, Nisan Mondal of Gobinda
Chandra Upper Primary School, has successfully qualified for Round 2 at the state level. The event was graced by Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, Government of Odisha, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Shri Basant Biswal, Chairman, Paradeep Municipality, Shri Abhishek Panda, OAS, Executive Officer, Paradeep Municipality along with senior leadership from AM/NS India including Dr. Debabrata Dash, Head – HR (East), Shri Bhawesh Jha, Plant Head, Paradeep Pellet Plant, Dr. Vikas Yadvendu, Head – CSR, Ms. Arushi Mathur, Head – Operations, Times Foundation, Shri Debendra Rout, Sarpanch, Nuagarh, and Smt. Sasmita Behera, Sarpanch, Paradeepgarh. The dignitaries addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of nurturing critical thinking among students and the role of education in shaping future leaders. The felicitation ceremony included reflections from teachers and students, followed by the recognition of achievers. Shri Sampad Chandra Swain said, “In a rapidly changing world driven by AI, technology and innovation, children must develop curiosity, critical thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving abilities and a learning mindset. AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship has helped strengthening this developmental foundation of the students. It is a matter of happiness and pride for all of us that more than 4,000 school
students participated from Paradeep and 11,000 students participated from 54 schools across Odisha. I thank AM/NS India and Times Foundation for the efforts made to find the talent in our region through this program.” On the occasion Shri Ashutosh Telang, Director & Vice President – HR & Administration, AM/NS India said, “We at AM/NS India are delighted to have brought such an important national initiative to Odisha. With over a million school students participating nationally, the impact is already significant, and we are committed to making the next editions even bigger, ensuring that more young minds benefit from this platform.” At the national level, the programme is engaging 1 million students from Classes 3–12 across 4,000 schools, culminating in the Grand Finale on September 19, 2026, at Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, New Delhi, where top‑performing students will be recognised for their exceptional abilities.
Achievers of AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship of Paradeep felicitated
