Bihar's Satyam Kumar cracks IIT entrance test at 12

A child prodigy from Bhojpur district in Bihar has created history by cracking the IIT-JEE 2012 at the age of 12 years and nine months.

Even the most prodigious kids his age seldom aim beyond scoring the highest in their school exams, while most of them generally spend their time playing videogames, watching television and making the most of the rebellion that comes with adolescence. But at 12 years, Satyam Kumar, a farmer's son from Bihar, is a born achiever. After all, he cracked the immensely competitive and prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) this year. Nevertheless, dissatisfied with his performance - he has secured an all-India rank of 8,137 - Satyam plans to take the exam again next year. "I will appear again. I wish to score a better rank," he said. But the diligent boy's performance this year is hardly a mean feat considering nearly 5.07 lakh students appeared for the exam altogether. Born on July 20, 1999, Satyam is believed to be the youngest to crack the exam ever. IIT sources said the record was previously held by Delhi boy Sahal Kaushik, who made it to the Mecca of engineering aspirants at the age of 14 in 2010. Satyam gives the credit of his success to his parents, uncle and the teachers who "always motivated" him to focus on his goal. So how did he go about his preparation for the IIT-JEE? Satyam, who is currently taking coaching classes at the hub of engineering training, Kota, says he used to study for five hours in addition to the time spent at the tutorial classes. He added that apart from the course books, NCERT books on different subjects, too, helped him a lot. IIT, however, is only a stepping stone to a bigger dream Satyam harbours - he wants to become an IAS officer in the future. But not before he makes a mark in the field of information technology and develops a website such as Facebook. Satyam appeared in the IIT-JEE even before his class XII results were announced. But his talent in studies was there for all to see since his early childhood. He was first brought to Patna for his studies at the age of six but was later taken to Kota by one of his uncles. He took admission in Modern School, where he passed Classes VIII, X and XII with flying colours. "Initially, there were some problems in his admission when he went to Rajasthan because of his age. But his natural talent surprised everybody," one of his relatives said. "He has always been able to solve even the most difficult of mathematics problems with great ease. Not only this, as a child, he actually memorised some of the epics," he added. Though the prodigy will take another shot at IIT next year, his village has already begun celebrating his feat. After all, it doesn't happen every day that your neighbourhood genius becomes a national hero of sorts.

Reliving the glorious history of Bihar

If six hundred years before the Christian era is the germinal period of India's history, it was the fertility and the fecundity of the soil of Bihar wherein the seeds sprouted into trees with overarching branches. While lot of emphasis is laid on imperial contributions, the popular culture of Bihar has been just as significant. Exemplary pottery traditions developed in this region, one of the finest being the Northern Black Polished Ware or the NBP. The terracottas of Bihar bring out the vitality and richness in the life of the people adding colour to that which is mundane. Artists of the Mauryan period began to experiment in stone and sculpted the fine yaksha and the yakshini pieces and nowhere can one get a better example than the Didarganj yakshi. The rich polish imparted to the yakshi, her ornamentation, hair style and expression make it one of the finest pieces of sculpture in the country. Equally significant is the development of the economy of ancient Bihar which received an additional boost as the first metallic coins came into use in the lower Gangetic plains. These are the first of the un-inscribed coin series, made of copper and silver, the very unique punch-marked coins, whose appearance coincides with the phenomenal development of trade described in the Buddhist Jatakas. Two of the greatest political experiments began in Bihar. Vaishali became the seat of a powerful republic/oligarchy. In Rajagriha, the foundation of a monarchy was being laid, which would eventually develop into the most powerful empire that the country was to witness, as the wheels of the chariots of the Magadhan rulers traversed in different directions and created from a loose configuration of 'janapadas' and 'mahajanapadas' a powerful empire. But 'samratism' is not built on sword alone and lot of emphasis was being laid on the development of human resource. Well-being of the subject is a principle oftstated in the writings of Kautilya and finds echo in the edicts of Ashoka. The king's inscriptions are first evidence of a deciphered script which is Brahmi. Across the centuries the man gives a message which is the crux of good governance. Apart from giving the country a script, Bihar also developed as a hub of educational activities. The tradition of philosophical debates in the quest of knowledge goes back to an even earlier time. The early Upanishads were probably compiled in north Bihar and Raja Janaka's 'sabha' was the centre of debates and deliberations. The tradition continued and the monasteries of the Buddhists and Jains became centres of learning which reached great heights in the later period when Nalanda, Vikramashila and Odantapuri developed as universities. I F Bihar was writing the history of ancient India, the openness of the mind of the people made it the centre of religious experimentation. The Buddha stands out as a colossal figure, giving to the world the message of peace, brotherhood and nonviolence and, above all, the belief in the power of reasoning and individual effort. His contemporary Mahavira was preaching the tenets of Jainism and the two heterodox faiths impacted every aspect of Indian psyche. But other than the two great Teachers, there were numerous other sects preaching their respective worldviews, often very materialistic in their approach. The Ajivikas, to name one, contributed towards enrichment of philosophical debates. Bihar's contribution to the realm of art is closely linked to these traditions.The magnificent pillars of Ashoka, the great 'stupas', especially the ones at Nandangarh and Kesariya, and the caves at Barabar and Nagarjuni are splendid examples and leads one to speculate on the skill training that was being provided for. What is great about the greatness of ancient Bihar is the holistic development of the region without which masterpieces are not crafted. The writer teaches history at Patna University.

New Patna world City

Hafeez Contractor, one of India’s best known architects, plans to develop a world city alongside the river Ganges here – on the lines of Dubai – that will boast of eco-friendly buildings and water sports facilities, officials here say. “Contractor submitted his proposed plans to the state government during his visit here Tuesday,” an official said referring to the proposed New Patna World City. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly impressed by Contractor’s plans to develop a future city in Patna.

“After Contractor met him in this connection, Kumar has asked development commissioner A.K. Sinha and top officials of the urban development department to have a meeting with Contractor to discuss it,” officials said. “All the high-rise buildings and apartments will be constructed on eco-friendly lines with water sports facilities on the river side,” the official said. An official of the urban development department told IANS that Contractor’s plans are to develop a new city spread over an area of 1,700 acres. This would include residential, commercial and entertainment centres on 300 acres while 350 acres would be developed as green fields. “He plans to develop a park on 600 acres on the lines of the New York park which is spread over 800 acres,” officials said. Other facilities like seven-star hotels, malls and shopping centres, schools, hospitals, health clubs, meditation centres, art galleries, convention centres and sports centres would be created in the planned city. Kumar Wednesday laid the foundation for Bihar’s first multi-storeyed industrial complex at the Fatuha industrial area near Patna. At a function on the occasion, he said Contractor had come up with a layout to develop land full of sand near the Ganges. Contractor said Patna has the potential to become a city like Delhi or Dubai. “Patna has a lot of potential with regard to infrastructure development, especially with the positive leadership in the state,” he said.

KBC 5 winner Sushil Kumar wants to become an IAS officer

Sushil Kumar hails from Motihari, which is about 150 km from Patna. He has been watching KBC for the past 11 years and he says he used to get the right answers most of the time. He got a call on October 17 to participate in the show and the episode featuring him was shot on October 24. But he declines to reveal the last question.

When asked about the winning Rs five crore, Sushil Kumar says that he has been warned by the KBC 5 bosses against revealing the details of the episode. "I have been told not to speak about it till the episode is telecast on November two. I had two lifelines left which I used to attempt the jackpot question, which was linked to my civil services studies,” the PTI quotes him as saying.

Sushil Kumar, who has won Rs 5 crores on Amitabh Bachchan's game show Kaun Banega Crorepati 5 (KBC 5) has revealed that he wants to become an IAS officer. The 27-year-old computer operator from Bihar is busy preparing for my IAS exams. He says that he has planned to utilise his prize money to attend his basic requirements.

Thrilled Sushil Kumar is yet to come to terms. Talking to the PTI, the KBC 5 jackpot winner said, "This is a different kind of feeling. The happiness is difficult to describe in words. I am still to come to terms with the fact that I have made history. It is a beautiful moment. Participation in KBC has been a life changing experience."

Sushil Kumar is an IAS aspirant and besides working as computer operator, he has been busy preparing for civil service exams, which may be held early next year. Talking about his goal of life, he says, "I plan to utilise my prize money to attend to my basic requirements and save rest of the amount. I want to become an IAS officer. I consider myself a student and am busy preparing for my IAS exams which may be held early next year.”

राष्ट्रपति ने पलटे बिहार के गौरवशाली अतीत के पन्ने

बिहार विधान परिषद के शताब्दी समारोह में राष्ट्रपति प्रतिभा देवीसिंह पाटील ने बिहार के गौरवशाली अतीत के पन्ने खूब पलटे। उन्होंने प्राचीन बिहार के वैभव और स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में बिहार के योगदान को अपने संबोधन के केंद्र में रखा। इस दौरान उन्होंने महात्मा गांधी के उस वक्तव्य का खासतौर पर जिक्र किया, जिसमें पटना की अपनी प्रार्थना सभा में बापू ने कहा था कि 'यह बिहार ही था जिसने मुझे पूरे भारत में पहचान दी। जब मैं चंपारण पहुंचा तो पूरा देश जाग उठा।'

राष्ट्रपति ने अपने संबोधन का अंत सम्राट अशोक के उस मूलमंत्र से किया। यह वस्तुत: सम्राट की राजाज्ञा थी-'वास्तव में मैं सभी के कल्याण को अपना दायित्व मानता हूं और इसके मूल में है-कठोर परिश्रम तथा कार्य का तुरंत निपटारा। जन कल्याण को बढ़ावा देने से अधिक महान कार्य कोई हो नहीं सकता।'

राष्ट्रपति ने कहा कि बिहार का इतिहास वास्तव में संस्कृति और सभ्यता का इतिहास है। यहां से भारत के दो बड़े साम्राज्यों का उदय हुआ। सबसे पहले सम्राट चंद्रगुप्त मौर्य ने मौर्य साम्राज्य की नींव रखी। इसके बाद चंद्रगुप्त प्रथम के समय गुप्त साम्राज्य की स्थापना हुई। गुप्त युग को भारत का स्वर्ण युग कहा गया है। इस युग में साहित्य, विज्ञान, गणित, धर्म तथा दर्शन ने बहुत तरक्की की। कालीदास, वराहमिहिर, विष्णु शर्मा, वात्स्यायन तथा पुष्पदंत जैसे विद्वान इसी युग में हुए। बिहार में स्थित ऐतिहासिक विक्रमशिला तथा नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय प्राचीन भारत में विश्व के महानतम विश्वविद्यालय थे।

राष्ट्रपति ने कहा कि बिहार की भूमि ने न केवल देश को बल्कि पूरी दुनिया को महान चिंतक, ज्ञानी और दार्शनिक दिए। बिहार की यह धरती, धार्मिक और सांस्कृतिक समन्वय की भी धरती है। इसी प्राचीन भूमि पर महर्षि बाल्मीकि ने रामायण की रचना की थी। जैन धर्म के 24 वें तीर्थकर भगवान महावीर वैशाली में पैदा हुए थे। बौद्ध धर्म के प्रवर्तक भगवान बुद्ध की कार्यस्थली भी बिहार ही थी। पटना में सिखों के 10 वें गुरु गुरु गोविंद सिंह का जन्म हुआ था। इसी तरह बहुत बड़े सूफी संत हजरत मनेरी बिहार से हुए हैं।

स्वतंत्रता संग्राम की चर्चा करते हुए राष्ट्रपति ने सबसे पहले बाबू कुंवर सिंह को याद किया। उन्होंने कहा कि कुंवर सिंह का प्रथम स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में भारी योगदान है। डा.राजेंद्र प्रसाद गांधी जी के साथ आंदोलन में जुड़े थे। हमारे संविधान सभा के अध्यक्ष व स्वतंत्र भारत के पहले राष्ट्रपति बने।

लोकतंत्र की चर्चा करते हुए राष्ट्रपति ने कहा कि लोकतांत्रिक संसदीय व्यवस्था में विधायिका को उसके सदस्यों का बहुत जवाबदेह ढंग से काम करना पड़ता है। बिहार की भूमि पर बहुत पहले लिच्छिवियों ने गणतंत्र का बीज बोया था। जहां लोग शासन में सहभागिता करते हुए समृद्धि और सौहार्द से रहते थे।

Tathagat Avtar Tulsi becomes IIT Mumbai professor

Dr. Tathagat Avtar Tulsi, a well known young student has made news once again! The 22 Patna boy, Tathagat Avtar Tulsi would be teaching to the students of almost his age at the prestigious Mumbai IIT.
Tathagat Avtar Tulsi would be taking classes in IIT Mumbai from next week onwards. Tathagat Avtar Tulsi would teach the physics in Mumbai IIT as an assistant Physics lecturer.
Tathagat Avtar Tulsi, who is just 22 years old, has completed many prestigious educational degrees including Ph.D.

Dr. Tathagat Avtar Tulsi has completed high school just and nine, and completed BSC by 10, and finished MSC by twelve. He then joined IISC Bangalore and has received the Quantum Computing at 21 years old.
Tathagat Avtar Tulsi is very famous among the educational circles of the country.
Tathagat Avtar Tulsi how now becomes an assistant IIT physic professor from IIT Mumbai and he would be teaching students there from next week.
Tathagat Avtar Tulsi was offered a lecturer post at the prestigious Waterloo University in Canada. Turning down offers from many top colleges around, Tathagat Avtar Tulsi finally decided to go to IIT, Mumbai.

Witness - Super 30 Special - 17 July 08 Part 4

शानदार नतीजे देने वाले 'सुपर 30' के संचालक गणितज्ञ आनंद कुमार अब बिहार में आइकान और भारत तथा विदेश में प्रेरक वक्ता के रूप में उभर रहे है। भारत के विभिन्न हिस्सों में प्रेरणादायक व्याख्यान देने के बाद अब वे इंस्टीट्यूट आफ चार्टर्ड एकाउंटेट्स के निमंत्रण पर 14 अक्तूबर को आबूधाबी में व्याख्यान देंगे। इस संस्थान ने उन्हे समग्र शिक्षा पर वार्ता के लिए बुलाया है। इसके पहले संस्थान के निमंत्रण पर पूर्व राष्ट्रपति डा. एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम, केवी कामथ, टीएन मनोहरन और मणि शंकर अय्यर व्याख्यान दे चुके है। अपनी खाड़ी यात्रा के दौरान आनंद कुमार खाड़ी के प्रतिष्ठित स्कूल इंडिया स्कूल आफ आबूधाबी के शिक्षकों और छात्रों के साथ अपना अनुभव बांटेगे।

वे अटलांटा और सैनडिएगो सहित विभिन्न स्थानों पर मैथमेटिकल एसोसिएशन आफ अमेरिका द्वारा आयोजित कुछ कार्यक्रमों में पहले ही व्याख्यान दे चुके है। आईआईएम अहमदाबाद में उनके व्याख्यान की भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा हुई थी। वे पिज्जा हट और केएफसी के प्रबंधकों के समूहों को भी संबोधित कर चुके है। हाल में न्यूजवीक पत्रिका ने उनके स्कूल को दुनिया के सबसे अनूठे स्कूलों में एक बताया था। एक अन्य प्रतिष्ठित पत्रिका टाइम ने उनके स्कूल को एशिया 2010 का सर्वोत्तम स्कूल बताया था। नंदन नीलकेनी प्रमोद बत्रा और रश्मि बंसल सरीखे मशहूर लेखकों ने उनकी जीवनी और उनके कार्यो को अपनी पुस्तकों में शामिल किया। डिस्कवरी चैनल ने सुपर 30 पर एक घंटे का कार्यक्रम प्रसारित किया। अभिनेत्री और पूर्व मिस जापान नोरिका फुजिवारा सुपर 30 पर एक वृत्तचित्र बनाने के लिए पटना आई। आनंद ने अपनी अद्भुत शिक्षण क्षमता के कारण लिम्का बुक आफ व‌र्ल्ड रिकार्ड्स में अपना नाम दर्ज कराया। हाल में, अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति बराक ओबामा के विशेष दूत राशद हुसैन सुपर 30 देखने गए। उन्होंने उसे 'भारत का सर्वोत्तम' शिक्षण संस्थान बताया।

आनंद की प्रतिभा पढ़ाई के शुरुआती दिनों में ही दिखनी शुरू हो गई थी। आनंद को 1994 में कैंब्रिज विवि में उच्चतर शिक्षा का मौका मिला। लेकिन उनकी खराब माली हालत उनके रास्ते में रुकावट बन गई। बचपन से ही गरीबी से जूझने के कारण उन्होंने गरीब छात्रों के लिए कुछ करने का फैसला किया, क्योंकि ऐसे छात्र अवसर के अभाव में मंजिल तक नहीं पहुंच पाते। लिहाजा रामानुजम स्कूल आफ मैथमेटिक्स का जन्म हुआ। 2002 में अपने भाई प्रणव और कुछ छात्रों की मदद से उन्होंने आईआईटी प्रवेश परीक्षा में बैठने के इच्छुक गरीब छात्रों को नि:शुल्क प्रशिक्षण देने के लिए सुपर 30 प्रोग्राम शुरू किया। पिछले तीन सालों में सुपर 30 के सभी 30 छात्र जेईई में सफलता प्राप्त करते आ रहे हैं।