Mumbai girl at Physics Olympiad

MUMBAI: Three years ago, as a student at Jamnabai Narsee, Aakanksha Sarda just about managed to go past the red line in physics. A decision was arrived at that day: Sarda would pursue English literature at St Xavier's, and would never have to look at the complex formulae and equations that physics throws up. In that short journey from school to college, though, something changed fundamentally and on Monday Sarda became the second Indian girl to qualify for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).

Sarda and four others — Mehul Kumar from Jaipur; Sanchar Sharma from Jodhpur; Shivam Handa from Delhi and Vipul Singh from Bhilai — will all represent India in the 41st IPhO 2010 to be held in Zagreb, Croatia, from July 17 to 25. "My mother pushed me to relook at physics and the logic of the subject soon dawned on me. Physics is my favourite subject," said the 18-year-old who has been admitted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue her undergraduate education.

About 36,000 students from across the nation participated in the first level examination. Of these, 312 were selected to move up to the next level, the Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO) examination. The INPhO examination was conducted in 15 centres across the nation and 37 students were selected to participate in an intensive training camp from May 4 to 17. On Monday, the five finalists were declared.

"All the students who participated in the camp were brilliant. The top five we have selected will go on and represent India at the International Physics Olympiad 2010 and I am sure they will do the country proud," said Vijay Singh, National Coordinator for Science Olympiads.

In physics, India has been faring rather well at the Olympiads — since some years, the Indian team's tally has remained similar — it has bagged four gold medals and a silver. "This year, we are hoping for all five golds," said Sathaye College student Sarda. A student who has topped the ranks since some years, Sarda also topped the Class X ICSE exams two years ago and has spent the past two years preparing for various entrance tests along with the Olympiads.

"I am sure that Aakanksha will make it to the Indian Institutes of Technology too. But she feels that MIT is where she belongs. She has been a student who used to hate physics, but had an open mind towards it. She is now one of the finest brains in the subject," said Praveen Tyagi, proprietor of IITians' Pace, a coaching academy, where Sarda was tutored.

But does falling in love with physics alter more than her career path? "Not really. I still manage to catch a couple of movies every week. I learn French and I am going for the international linguistics Olympiad. Last year, I won a silver," said Sarda.

Along with Sarda, Mehul Kumar from Jaipur is also part of the team. He said his preparation for IIT-JEE helped him since it required in-depth studying. "Also, several topics for the Physics Olympiad are similar to those in the CBSE curriculum for Standard XI, XII. A strong hold over the basics is also a must," said Kumar.