Nickelodeon kick-starts its annual Career Series in Mumbai with the Young Astronauts Programme

Nickelodean has undertaken an initiative which is a step further to reach out to their audience by connecting with them personally. After conducting extensive polls, they have implemented the inputs they have derived from these polls into their initiative that is; the generation today are fascinated about being an astronaut.

The space in all its beauty sprang to life, as Nickelodeon set up a magnificent mobile planetarium (Discovery Domes) at The Courtyard, High Street Phoenix in Mumbai today, to announce its annual Career Series, this year being, the Young Astronauts Programme. To bring the space experience to life, Mumbai saw Discovery Domes, the one-of-a-kind mobile planetariums, which is part of the outreach program of the NASA Magnetospheric Multi-scale Mission (MMS)! Bambai kids got an awesome 3D experience of the greatest astronomical films along with their favourite Nicktoon SpongeBob SquarePants! The exclusive shows covered exciting and educational content like asteroids, the black hole and mysteries of the universe to name a few. All in all, the kid's had a blast, took home a whole lot of learning along with goodies!

Asha Sundararajan of Discovery Dome India and specially flown down from Houston Dr. Patricia H. Reiff - Two esteemed academic personalities from the field of Space Sciences, certified by NASA, were present for the Young Astronauts Program with a view of spreading knowledge about Space Science as a career choice. As kids showed up in large numbers, Asha and Patricia counseled all those gathered. What's more, the kids demonstrated keen interest to know more and their parents too were overwhelmed with the kind of response shown by their children.

Speaking exclusively to Adgully, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Nickelodeon India, said, "The opportunity for a profession as this is large today in India. Being an Indian, every child is keyed into Mathematics and Science from a young age. However the awareness among parents and the right knowledge about this profession is what lacks here. We don't want to make astronauts out of everyone but at least open that door of opportunity."

"The insight is really that every parent has that anxiety as to what their child would grow up to be. So basis that insight we had the online poll and we took it further from there," further said Jaipuria.

"Nickelodeon is all about breaking rules and making new ones! We at Nickelodeon are proud to pioneer the Career Series that will inspire kids to follow their passion and live their dreams. With this launch, our endeavour is to give kids what's good for them and introduce them to new and exciting career options - so if Space studies are on their minds then NASA is where we will take them," she commented.

Dr. Patricia H. Reiff said, "This evening has been an eye opener for me. Little did I know that kids from India were so keen on taking up Space Sciences as a subject. The response we received tonight was tremendous and I hope that I've given some direction to all those interested. I truly wish that this endeavor taken up by Nickelodeon will reach its maximum potential and I'm sure the Young Astronauts Programme will inspire kids of India to chase their dreams. I wish them the best of luck for their star-lit futures and guarantee that their trip to NASA will surely be one of their best memories. "

Speaking exclusively to Adgully, Reiff said, "I do what I love so passionately as my work every single day. It is important to do something that you love to wake up to. To raise the awareness of such a profession is remarkable initiative. The reach is wide and I am really excited about it.

Adds Ms. Asha Sundararajan, "Nickelodeon's Young Astronauts Programme is truly living up to the goal of inspiring India's future. With space sciences as a budding career path for kid's world over, this is the ideal way of giving a boost to India's aspiring astronauts of tomorrow. Giving kids the chance to go to NASA is a phenomenal opportunity ' It's my pleasure to contribute to this project and direct my expertise & knowledge to brightening up the dreams of children all over India. Seeing the wonderful response that we received today, I'm sure that we'll be seeing a lot of astronauts from India in the near future."

The Young Astronauts Program is an ideal platform for kids to pursue their true passions for Space Science, as it gives them the strength to reach for the stars. This out-of-the-world initiative aims to get the smartest kids in India to compete with each other where the best kids get their ultimate ticket to their dreams: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit NASA! To participate, kids have to log on to www.nickindia.com and write their statement of purpose of 150 words on "I want to be an astronaut because ¦' Based on their entries, Nickelodeon will have an expert panel of judges who will go through every entry to pick the best set of kids to go for a space programme at NASA. With this fantastic initiative, Nickelodeon India is truly giving wings to the dreams of kids all across the country, and gifting them the opportunity to become a happier, livelier generation of future leaders. | By Janees Antoo [janees(at)adgully.com]