Sudhanva S. Kamath comes across as an ambitious youth of Mangalore. Ever since he scored full marks in Mathematics in Class 10, he has been keenly interested in the field of science. Post PUC, he is pursuing a four-year undergraduate B.S. Honours programme at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He aims to carry out research in Mathematics, particularly in Graph Theory, like his father Shyam Kamath, a faculty in NIT-K Surathkal.

A lover of mathematics, he wants to major in the same subject.

When asked what drew him to it, “Perhaps the intricate beauty in it,” he replies. “Not limited by nature, it is a world where you can take your imagination to highest levels. One cannot live without Maths,” he says.

Mr. Sudhanva was also qualified to participate in Karnataka Regional Mathematics Olympiad in 2010. He has won national fellowship from the Govt. of India. This 18-year-old qualified for ‘Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana’ (KVPY) fellowship program under which he is provided up to Rs 80,000 each year for the duration of his course.

The eligibility was determined by KVPY aptitude exam, which he sat in 2010 after his Class XII.

Out of 75,000 students who appeared for the exam, Sudhanva was one among those who were selected for the fellowship.

He said that the aptitude exam gave him a chance to see how science was interpreted in the real world. “This was different from usual competitive exams. They test your skill in solving problems, and how you approach or attack them. They check whether you have the aptitude for research,” he told The Hinduduring his recent visit to Mangalore.

This youth enjoyed solving math problems. He is working on a project on graph theory under his father, whom he sees as a role model. “I have seen him in research mode and am inspired by his work. There were very few teachers in school who have also inspired me,” he said. Once he completes his honours degree, he will be eligible to pursue a Ph. D. programme. The website dedicated to KYPY (kypy.org.in) informs that generous scholarships (Rs. 4000 to Rs. 7,000 per month) are provided (up to the pre-Ph.D. level) to the selected students.

Like any normal teen, he too often gets stressed out. “When problems seem impossible to solve, I take a break, and then try to look at them in a different light. This often helps.

“Other times, problems become more interesting when you aren’t able to solve them,” he said. Did he consider himself lucky? Well, one couldn’t attain everything with pure hard work, the whiz-kid believes. “Luck may often play a role in getting you somewhere,” he said.

Apart from mathematics, he is into music, which soothes him. He also plays the harmonium and piano. He is an avid supporter of Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Mangalore / by Safoora Ali / June 29th, 2012