Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 12: Makers’ Fete 2025, hosted at the CFAL campus, concluded on a vibrant and inspiring note, witnessing active participation from students across numerous schools and colleges in Mangaluru and Udupi.
The event showcased a blend of technical, scientific and artistic activities, all of which saw remarkable enthusiasm, creativity and collaboration among the participants.
The event was graced by distinguished guests including Dr Ramachandra Hebbar, general manager, Regional Remote Sensing Centre – South, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru, and Dr Santhosh Kumar KAS, project director, District Urban Development Cell, Dakshina Kannada.
Tree plantation drive
A special highlight of the inauguration was the tree plantation ceremony, symbolising CFAL’s commitment to sustainability. ISRO’s Dr Ramachandra Hebbar, Trustee Vijay Moras, Principals Purnima Prabhu and Dr Smitha Hegde collectively planted saplings along with the teacher, administrator and student team, reinforcing the message of environmental responsibility. On this occasion, Amara tree plantation volunteers were felicitated for their ongoing efforts. Dr Rashmi presented a detailed report on the initiative, acknowledging the team’s continued work in ecological conservation.
Vijay Moras reflected on Makers’ Fete’s growth from a small event of about 100 students to a vibrant gathering of nearly 1,500 participants today. He emphasised that the heart of the fete is curiosity-driven learning, where students freely explore science through theoretical discourse and hands-on experimentation.
Comparing it to ISRO’s humble beginnings, he noted that innovation often starts in small, creative maker spaces filled with trial and error and that scientific thought must be at the core of nation-building.
He concluded by thanking the dignitaries, teachers, students and parents for supporting an environment that encourages children to tinker, question, understand and solve real-world problems.
Dr Ramachandra Hebbar highlighted how India’s space progress has increasingly drawn ideas and inspiration from students, reflecting the longstanding spirit of involving young minds in scientific innovation. He spoke about ISRO’s journey: from early failures to becoming one of the world’s leading space agencies, powered by ordinary but dedicated scientists.
He encouraged students to pursue science, research and space-related careers, noting the immense opportunities created after the liberalisation of India’s space sector and the rise of young start-ups. Dr Hebbar reaffirmed that fundamental subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics remain the backbone of all space technology and invited students to visit ISRO centres to explore these opportunities further.
Dr Santhosh Kumar congratulated the institution for firmly embedding STEM education at its core and noted how both the campus and the students reflected this spirit of enquiry and innovation. He encouraged teachers to support students in pursuing new ideas and start-ups, assuring full backing from the administrative and bureaucratic system. He concluded by congratulating all students for their creativity and enthusiasm.
Makers’ Fete 2025 showcased ‘Milestone Marco,’ a robot created by young tech enthusiasts at the CFAL Makerspace. This talented team has gone on to achieve something extraordinary: they have qualified for the Battle of Bots Grand Finale in Russia, placing them among the top teams worldwide and proudly representing India on the international stage.
A day of innovation, culture & community
Throughout the day, the fete hosted a wide range of exciting events, from STEM challenges to creative performances, making it a hub of learning and fun.
Parents and students actively set up stalls, adding to the lively and festive atmosphere. The cultural performances by CFAL High School and PU College students were among the highlights, drawing appreciation from the audience.
A grand success
With spirited participation, community involvement, and a day filled with innovation and cultural richness, Makers’ Fete 2025 was a grand success. The event truly reflected CFAL’s mission: to nurture science, curiosity, creativity and a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility among young learners and the local community.
For more details, visit www.cfalindia.com or call +91 99005 20233.