He has already been chosen for a course in marine engineering by no less than the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) itself.
Suriya, a class 9 student of Nadar Saraswathi Higher Secondary School in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, has earned NASA’s eight-year scholarship for his latest invention in the field of marine engineering.
On December 29, Suriya will fly to the US on the scholarship gained “in recognition of the exceptional effort applied in the field of research of inventions.”
Suriya’s father Gopi is a CRPF havaldar in Bangalore. On Monday, the father-son duo were on cloud nine after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram congratulated the boy during his visit to Bangalore.
When Deccan Herald went in search of this young scientist, umpteen officers guided us through the makeshift dingy dormitory where Gopi rests after a hard day’s work.
Suriya was sitting on the cot and flipping through the pages of a science book. He was on his toes when asked about the project.
In laser quick speed, he opened his laptop and started explaining his maiden pet project which helped in making his dreams come true.
“For the last few months, I was working on various science projects. Later, with the help of my principal Ingarsal, I zeroed in on the subject of creating an anti-tsunami ship.”
The model created ripples at the school level and was chosen for the national level. But the project got wings when International Group of Science and Technology and NASA recognised it and presented it with the first prize.
Elaborating on the functioning of his model, Suriya says: “In case of a tsunami threat, the sensors fitted on the ship will sense the tsunami waves from a distance of 10 km. A carbon steel-plated material (magic metal) covers the ship in a dome shape, enabling the ship to sink into the water like a submarine.”
Even as Suriya tries his best to simplify his explanation on the functioning of the model, he speaks like a professional when asked about the material he will be using for the outer cover.
Suriya also talks about patents, sponsors and ethics. He adds: “I was thrilled to bits when I got to know that NASA has picked my project and has come forward to sponsor it. I was under the impression that NASA recognises only aerospace projects, but my marine engineering project has been recognised, what more can I ask for?”
Proud of school dropout
As for Gopi, he is probably the only father proud to declare that his son is a school dropout.
“He has stopped going to school and he is a class 9 dropout,” he says with a glee on his face.