Mysore :

She is 17 years old. But she already knows what she wants to do. Meet Preethi Prakash Prabhu, daughter of doctor couple Dr. Prakash Prabhu and Dr. Roopa Prabhu, who wants to be a physicist. Preethi, who has been obsessed with Physics and Albert Einstein, feels ‘Physics has answers for everything in life.’ A II PU student at city’s Vidya Vardhaka PU College, she wants to take up research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore.

In order to realise this, Preethi has already cleared Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), a national programme of Fellowships in basic sciences, initiated and funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, for students studying in XI standard to 1st year degree, who are highly motivated to study and pursue research in Science subjects. KVPY is one among the four tests mandatory for those willing to study at IISc.

But when asked as to what really drove Preethi towards the subject, she came up with an interesting narrative: “It all started while I was reading Dan Brown’s famous novel The Lost Symbol, where the female character Katherine Solomon is fascinated with Albert Einstein.

“Even as I read the book, I began wondering as to what is so special about Einstein that makes Katherine like him so much. I began reading about Einstein and his scientific theories on the internet and it really fascinated me. I then decided to be a Physicist.”

Ever since, Preethi has kept a constant watch on the IISc. website to learn about their undergraduate programmes. “I have qualified in KVPY and now have to see if I can get a seat at IISc., after my PU. The competition is tough as they have only 120 seats,” she adds.

While Einstein is her most favourite scientist, Preethi says almost every scientist irrespective of the subject of his/her research fascinates her, because the thought of introducing something entirely new and unknown to the world flashes only across the minds of scientists and is a captivating thought in itself. “And if I have come up with these positive ideas today, it’s all because of my parents,” says Preethi.

Along with pursuing her dream of being a Physicist, Preethi also has a keen interest in fine arts. She is a good singer and was a participant of Ede Tumbi Haaduvenu conducted by the ETV Kannada. She has also performed on Madhura Maduravee Manjula Gaana aired on DD Chandana. Preethi has won the Vishwa Kala Ratna award at the State-level music contest at Akhila Karnataka Makkala Sahitya mattu Saamskruthika Sammelana-2007 at Bangalore. A regular participant in the annual Doctor’s Musical Nite Geeth Gaatha Chal, she has also presented dance recitals during Dasara.

When asked if she will peruse fine arts or Physics, she readily says: “I want to be a physicist, dance and music are hobbies that help me relax.”—AN

Programmes to drive youngsters towards Natural and Basic Sciences

There are several exams that youngsters can take up to class X, if they are interested in studying and pursuing research in the Basic Science subjects.

• The Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology conduct a scholarship programme called Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) under which 10,000 scholarships of Rs. 80,000 are provided every year.

• The scholarship is offered for only bachelor and master degree Natural and Basic Science courses.

• Students having secured top 10,000 ranks in the Joint Entrance Examination of JEE-Advance, JEE-Main (top 10,000 ranks) plus those clearing NEET (top 10,000 ranks), and those who opt to study Natural and Basic Sciences in any academic institute or University leading to graduate and post-graduate degree are eligible for this scholarship.

• Students admitted to Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Basic Sciences (DAE-CBS) at the University of Mumbai or happen to be Kishore Vaigyanik ProtsahanYojana (KVPY), National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), Jagadish Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) scholars and Science Olympiad Medallists, opting to undertake courses in the Natural & Basic Sciences leading to B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees will be eligible for Scholarship For Higher Education (SHE) – a component of INSPIRE.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 20th, 2013