He was not too keen on science. Neither did he have any knowledge of animation. Yet 16-year-old Nirbhay Parakh of Sri Chaitanya Techno School is the only student from Kolkata to win the third prize for his one-minute animation video on health at the Jigyasa Vigyan Mahotsav 2022, an all-India science competition conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Union ministry of science and technology.
Nirbhay’s storytelling makes viewers aware of the World Health Organization and how everyone can work towards good health by following a few cardinal principles.
The Burrabazar boy also talks about ways to keep the fever at bay and about Covid-19. The video was selected from 75 shortlisted ones from all over India and five from West Bengal. There were thousands of entries nationwide this year.
“I developed an interest in science and health from Class VI after I had joined my current school. Our scientific curiosity is encouraged here, and we are trained for IIT and other competitive exams. The pieces of training changed my perspective,” said the Class X student. As his interest in science grew, Nirbhay started building electric circuits and robots in his spare time while enjoying the process of discovery.
Sri Chaitanya Techno School principal Payal Dey said eligible students were encouraged to take part in this contest. Only Nirbhay, who was in Class IX then, took up the challenge. “I had no clue how to make an animation video. I took it as a challenge.
I checked the Internet and took the help of apps to learn before making the video. I wanted to spread awareness through it. But since it was my first attempt, I had not expected to win an award, let alone a national one,” he said. It took him six hours and a lot of research to complete the video.
He has also won a cash prize for coming third. “I plan to buy gifts for my parents and keep the rest for my education,” said the student who is also a soccer fan, especially of Ronaldo and Messi.
Nirbhay plans to study technology and go on tinkering. “I hope to devise new things in the future. I have found joy in experimenting and learning new things on my own. I hope to win other competitions too,” said the student with renewed zeal.
Dey said Nirbhay was just another promising newcomer, who excelled with time. “I am glad Nirbhay tried out something new,” she said. The principal said the school teaches students how to develop an interest in science, technology and tinkering.