Dipali Akolkar, founder of FunSmartism Intelligence Center in Pune, Maharashtra, has once again proven her mettle in science education by securing the only spot for Pune at the prestigious Science Safari of the 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025. Selected from over 1,000 nationwide entries, this marks the fourth consecutive year FunSmartism Intelligence Center earns a place among the elite top 30 exhibitors – a testament to its innovative mission of sparking scientific passion in young minds.
Held from December 6 to 9, 2025, in Panchkula, Chandigarh, under the theme “Vigyan Se Samruddhi – For Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the IISF is a flagship event jointly organized by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), alongside IITM-Pune. This high-profile platform unites India’s top researchers, educators, and innovators, amplifying its role in driving national self-reliance and scientific temper.
Akolkar’s path from software programmer to dedicated science popularizer exemplifies grit. Barred from direct trains, she embarked on a challenging multi-leg journey via Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Chandigarh, arriving in the pre-dawn chill as the first IISF guest at her hotel. “Delay tested my determination, but destiny rewarded the resolve,” she shared, turning brief setbacks – which momentarily disappointed her students, school, and supporters – into fuel for triumph.
Science Safari: Immersive Hub for National Innovation
Far more than a festival, Science Safari delivers adventure-driven learning through hands-on games, challenges, and exhibits aligned with Viksit Bharat@2047. FunSmartism Intelligence Center’s booth became a massive hit, attracting huge crowds and overwhelming demand due to its unique, fun-packed displays that made science irresistible.
Standout exhibits included:
- Paper Telescope-Making Kits: Hands-on builds letting kids craft their own stargazing tools, sparking astronomy fever.
- Astronomy Model Project Kits: DIY models of celestial wonders, blending creativity with cosmic exploration.
- Logic-Building Games: Puzzle challenges that sharpen reasoning while disguised as play.
- Concentration and Hand-Eye Coordination Boosters: Fast-paced activities like precision tossing and pattern-matching that honed focus amid cheers.
- Visual Intelligence Games: Mind-bending optical illusions and spatial puzzles that wowed all ages.
- Math Calculation Challenges and Magic Squares: Quick-fire arithmetic races and number grids revealing hidden patterns.
- Geometrical Concept Games: Tangram-style builds turning shapes into stories of symmetry and design.
- Interactive Project Display Pieces: Showcasing student-led innovations, inviting crowds to tinker and take home kits.
These one-of-a-kind attractions generated non-stop queues, with visitors raving about how FunSmartism Intelligence Center simplified complex concepts into joyful mindset shifts for multi-intelligence growth. “The energy was electric – families and educators kept coming back for more,” Akolkar noted.
At FunSmartism Intelligence Center, she bridges local students with national luminaries – from traditional Indian toy makers and modern edu-toy experts to scientists and thinkers. “This honor for FunSmartism isn’t personal alone; it spotlights teachers nationwide building India’s scientific future.” Her STEM workshops mentor children in curiosity and critical thinking, especially in awareness-scarce regions.
Fueling Atmanirbhar Bharat’s Vision
Energized by interactions, Akolkar returns to FunSmartism Intelligence Center with fresh tools and a bolder commitment, bearing the aspirations of parents and professionals seeking educational overhaul. As Pune’s lone voice amid thousands, FunSmartism Intelligence Center positions science as a “lived adventure,” empowering India to reclaim global leadership. Akolkar praises the IISF organizers for forging this vital network, deeming it the “true roadmap to Vigyan Se Samruddhi.”
This milestone solidifies FunSmartism Intelligence Center’s legacy in nurturing smart success through science.
