We, Megh Rathod and Taarak Trivedi got the golden opportunity of participating in the INSPIRE Science Camp held by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and organized in Gujarat by Nirma University. It was a great opportunity to learn and experience the extent of Science Research in our country and around the world.

It was a 5-day residential camp from 2^nd December to 7^th December 2018. The camp included various fun-filled activities with lots of inspiring and knowledge-filled talks from professors from eminent places like IIT Bombay, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL, Pune), Physics Research Laboratory (PRL), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER, Pune), etc. The inauguration ceremony was presided by Padmashri Dr. Kartikeya Sarabhai who gave a very insightful talk on the Global Environmental Crisis and how to resolve it. This was followed by various other astute talks on current issues and topics like Cell Phone and Cell tower radiation, Cryptography, Mathematics, Environmental Issues, Human Brain and cognizance etc.

INSPIRE Science Camp was not only about learning new stuff, but also for expressing oneself. There was a writing competition on new and innovative ideas on some of the key areas of priority such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat, Energy Conservation, Solid and Liquid Waste Management. We also got to work in Nirma University’s research laboratories and get first-hand experience about what is it to pursue research in Science as a career in life. Throughout our journey we made many friends with great intellect and scientific temperament.

During these five days we were surrounded by extremely intelligent people and well-established scientists. What touched our hearts the most was their humility and atmiyata, despite their achievements and calibre. Our mentor and the Director of Innovation and Research at Nirma University, Dr. Dhaval Pujara was a man not only of great knowledge but also of immense patience and dedication. Though we were with him only for a few days he treated us like his own children and students. He regularly approached us to know how we felt about the camp and if anything better could be done. He took care of us selflessly, from our stay to our food to all the science activities in the camp. Despite being a Director, he always was on his toes to help us out with any difficulties during the camp.

To conclude, it was a great learning experience which dipped us not only in the shower of knowledge but at the same time, gave us an enchanting chance to be with people of great intellect and have a personal learning experience from them.

Reported by: Megh Rathod, Taarak Trivedi (Class 11 Science)