Indian contingent for 37th International Physics Olympiad announced

Mumbai, May 23 (UNI) The Indian contigent for the 37th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) to be held in Singapore later this year was announced by Chief Guest, Prof M B Kurup of Tata Insitiute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) at the Valedictory function held here today.

The team of five students- Divyanshu Jha-Patna, Harish Ravi-Bangalore, Mehul Deepak Tikekar-Mumbai, Neha Jayesh Rambhia-Mumbai, Raghu Mahajan-Chandigarh- have been selected to represent India at the 37th Olympiad in Singapore, from July 8-July 17 this year.

Preparations for selecting the team began in November last year.

Over 30,000 students from across the nation participated in the first level examination conducted by Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT).

After several levels of examinations, 36 students were selected to participate in an intensive training camp at the orientation-cum- selection camp for Physics Olympiad at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) from 15 May to 23 May this year.

IPhO, initiated in 1967, is a unique event designed to discover, encourage and challenge exceptionally gifted young students from all over the world.

The event represents a 'celebration' of the best in higher secondary school physics and over 80 countries are expected to participate this year. However, India began participating in it since 1998.

The Indian contigent will be accompanied by Prof Charudatt Kadolkar of IIT, Guwahati, Prof B N Chandrika of VVSFG College for Women, Bangalore and scientific observer Shirish R Pathare, of HBCSE, Mumbai.

Earlier also Indian contigents maintained the glorious tradition of winning several gold, silver and bronze medals in the IPhO events in the world platform.

While, HBCSE has been a nodal centre for training and selecting students for the Physics Olympiad since 1998 and collaborates with the (IAPT) for implementing the programme.

The Science Olympiad Programmes are funded by the Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Human Resource Development.

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