Shreya Mundhra, who clinched a gold medal at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad, expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging her achievement during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address. Mundhra mentioned that PM Modi elaborated on the competition process, hoping it would spark more interest in Mathematics among students. She credited the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) for the valuable government-supported training she received.
Explaining the competition levels, Mundhra detailed that the computational round involves solving 30 questions in three hours as part of IOQM, with around 250 candidates selected from each state. Moving to the Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO), approximately 35 students are chosen from each state to tackle six questions within three hours. She highlighted the significance of regional-level training for national-level participation, emphasizing the supportive role of training camps and teachers.
Mundhra emphasized the importance of PM Modi’s recognition in inspiring students to engage with Science and Mathematics, particularly those who struggle with the subjects. Her father, Shantanu Mundhra, echoed this sentiment, describing the acknowledgment as a proud moment. Drawing a distinction between Olympiad and competitive exam preparations, he stressed the focus on conceptual understanding in Olympiad training compared to the extensive study hours typical of competitive exams.
Shantanu Mundhra underscored the need to empower his daughter and allow her the freedom to pursue her interests. He encouraged parents to support their children in selecting subjects based on personal passion. Noting the impact of PM Modi’s recognition on parental encouragement, he believed it would motivate more parents to nurture their children’s talents.
