November 23, 2024 07:59 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
'Third World War has begun:' Ex-Ukraine military commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny | UK-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations to resume in early 2024 | UK can arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits country based on ICC warrant | Centre to send over 10,000 additional soldiers to violence-hit Manipur amid fresh violence | Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed during encounter with security forces in Sukma
Afghan girls bag award at international astronomy competition
Afghanistan Girl
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Afghan girls bag award at international astronomy competition

| @indiablooms | 20 Jul 2021, 06:26 pm

Even as the future of their conflict-ridden country hangs in the balance, a group of Afghan girls from the western city of Herat gave their war-weary people something to cheer about when they won an award at the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition hosted by Poland which was held online early in July.

The international science competition in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics enables students across the world to prove their skills and show creativity. Participants received certificates, awards, cash prizes, and global recognition.

A total 225 participants and groups from 54 countries attended the competition this year. Members of the Afghan astronomy group--all of whom are girls-- said the achievement will boost their confidence to put more effort toward their goals.

“Our prize was a telescope and a package of other relevant equipment,” Amina Karimiyan, the head of the group, was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.

Behnaz Azizi, a member of the group, said, “Despite limitations that exist in our dear country, we are thinking beyond this and we want to record Afghanistan’s name in astronomy science.”

Some of the girls, part of the group, have been studying astronomy for the last two years.

The award came at a time when the hope for girls’ education is diminishing, amid the wake of a resurgent Taliban following the US and NATO troops' withdrawal. In many areas, recently captured by insurgents, the group has ordered the closure of girls’ schools and strict observance of the Sharia which, in their interpretation, is against girls' education. 

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
Xi Jinping, Putin in Russia 22 Mar 2023, 02:56 pm
Related Videos