Image via The Star

It’s an amazing feeling when your childhood dreams come true after years of trying. This is the inspiring story of what a primary school science teacher achieved after he became one of the winners of a global astronomy competition.

One of the unsung heroes in the DIGIyin Saathanai Hero-kkal campaign, Vadivelan Sinnasamy has always had a love for astronomy since he was young. However, he never owned a telescope or any astronomy equipment because it wasn’t within his reach.

So when the SJK(T) Jugra teacher found out that he was the Malaysian winner of the Telescope for All 2021 project that was held in May, he was thrilled.

Image via Vadivelan’s blog

The Telescope for All 2021 project was launched worldwide under the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) in collaboration with Stars Shine for Everyone (SSVI), Leiden University/Universe Awareness (Unawe), and telescope manufacturer Bresser.

The National Planetarium acted as the national outreach coordinator for Malaysia with the help of the National STEAM Centre and Universe Awareness Malaysia to conduct the project virtually due to the pandemic.

Image via National Planetarium

The purpose of the programme is to instill and expand the interest of Malaysians in astronomy, as well as serve as a level playing field for those who aspire to pursue a career in space science. The project received 225 applications from 54 countries worldwide, and Vadivelan became one of the 12 winners who will receive a Bresser 90/1200 refractor telescope!

Image via Tejraj

According to the National Planetarium, the 42-year-old teacher’s essay caught the judges’ attention because he spoke about giving the less privileged communities a chance to own a telescope as this will attract more students to astronomy.

Wouldn’t it be inspiring to see more young people open up to the field of space science and hopefully groom more future Malaysian astronauts?

The telescopes are donated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) as part of their global outreach project to spark more interest on the subject. Hence why Vadivelan’s essay fits their aim to a T!

Each retractor telescope, including the one Vadivelan will receive, is equipped with a digital camera, eyepiece and solar foil. This enables all recipients, especially teachers like him, to conduct experiments and demonstrations virtually.

Image via GPS Bestari

The teacher of 15 years is excited to receive this equipment for his students. “I am more than happy to share this piece of equipment with the surrounding schools so as to spread the benefits of having the telescope around,” he told The Star.

What an achievement! Congratulations, Vadivelan. We can’t wait to see how the schools and students will make use of this telescope.

Let’s hope that this is a step in the right direction towards grooming more astronomy buffs and future astronauts for the country!

As part of the DIGIyin Saathanai Hero-kkal campaign, we’re constantly looking to share stories of Malaysian ‘superheroes’ that live amongst us.

If you know a hero or if you have an inspirational story about overcoming challenges, we’d love to hear from you. Just submit your story at RAAGA’s website or click the image above.