Inspiring Insights from Dr. Kamlesh Patel: A Session for Grades 11 & 12

/in , /by

On 11th October 2025, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., a highly inspirational session was held in the school auditorium for students of Grades 11 and 12 with respected Dr. Kamlesh (Ken) Patel.

The session began with a brief introduction by Dr. Kamlesh Patel, a research scientist and Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, who has been working for the past 25 years in the U.S. Department of Energy at Sandia National Labs and has been assigned a Level Q protection by the U.S. government. He also provides counselling to university students and bridges the research at the labs with the research conducted by university professors.

This was followed by a slideshow and video on various innovations and other products developed by Sandia National Labs and their history, stretching as far back as the Manhattan Project.

Next came the main body of the session: advice for freshmen on how to build a strong base for university and, hence, a robust foundation for the journey ahead. A vast and comprehensive discussion followed, touching upon various aspects, including (but not limited to):

  • The difference between Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees, and the advantages of further education and internships.
  • Passion for discovering new things is the foundation of research.
  • What makes one successful, apart from education, is personality and character.
  • The need to research how AI affects one’s chosen field and adapt to it.
  • Always give your 100%.
  • Never give up. Fall down seven times, get up eight.
  • Mistakes are welcome. They are essential to learning and life.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses.
  • All branches of science are on an interconnected tree − one never knows where they might mingle.
  • Grasp opportunities when they come.

Finally came a question-and-answer session, during which students asked many well-thought-out questions, with the answers being all the more impressive. Their conclusions have been listed below:

  • No idea is a bad idea. Once you get a research idea, dive deeper and unravel everything there is to know about it.
  • College is not just about study; it’s also about extracurriculars, fun, friendship, helping others, and thus developing your character.
  • Money is not everything. One wouldn’t clean toilets every single day of life, even for a lakh rupee an hour − and time is more precious than money.
  • It’s not that only some achieve success; success is what you define it to be.

The final and arguably most enlightening question was how Dr. Kamlesh Patel takes out time for Satsang and spirituality from his otherwise busy schedule. His reply was that Satsang isn’t something that needs special time − it is to be inculcated into our daily routine and practiced throughout the day. We must learn to prioritize.

The session ended with applause and a vote of thanks by Principal Vijay Sir. We can conclude that the whole event was a beautiful reflection of the vision of the school’s founder, GuruHari Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj. This was clearly evident in the questions asked by the students and the overall wholesome, learning, and spiritual atmosphere built up in the room.

Aatman Patel, Mantra Desai (Grade 12)