I was going to engineering school but fell in love with Physics : Damini Saxena

Well, to begin with, I will first answer the most commonly asked question, “Why did you choose this subject/branch?” Let me tell you. I am pursuing Integrated MSc in Applied Physics from NIT, Surat.

I had opted for PCM in 11^th standard. Physics was something for which I didn’t mind going on my knees to know the depth. All the Physics classes since my 9^th standard have been quintessential. I wanted to go further in practical Physics, so I joined a coaching in 11^th standard for IIT-JEE preparation. Not to mention the hard-work involved, I confidently cracked JEE Mains with a good rank, but couldn’t perform well in JEE Advanced. During the counselling, when I saw that NIT Surat and NIT Rourkela were offering Integrated MSc in Applied Physics, I filled it in the choice list instantly. And this is how I got MSc at NIT Surat.

All I would say about the preparation to reach here is that it involves a lot of hard-work, long hours of study and, inexorably, a good mind.

One of the most important parts of preparation was solving previous years’ papers with full dedication. Sometimes, demotivation and stress bother everyone, and especially when you are under so much pressure of competition, but the best who can motivate you is you yourself.

After joining the college, the 1^st year was light, without much in-depth studies involved. It was just a next level go-through of 11^th and 12^th standard. Being away from home, I was motivated most of the time, thinking that I was away for a purpose. I have always secured above 9 point in each semester till now. College life, like the school life, is not about just studying. I have had many friends right since the 1^st semester. Apart from studying, we enjoy a lot.

The 2^nd year started after a long 2-month vacation. Again, the same story, nothing new. Same story with some new and different characters in the form of subjects. No doubt, the subjects were very interesting. I had electrodynamics and optics and modern physics in the 3^rd semester.

But I have more important things to tell. It was the time to apply for internships. One must realize that it is a matter of chance and is quite tough to get an internship and that too in your desired area of interest.

I applied for many internships, including one of the most prestigious- IAS (Indian Academy of Sciences) summer internship. I even personally mailed many professors. It was around November end, when I realized that I was receiving no outcome and had apparently lost all hope. But in February end, one of my classmates congratulated me for getting selected for the IAS internship. I couldn’t believe it! No one could have; it was completely unexpected. I opened the IAS website and was excited, astonished and surprised to find my name there! I was very thankful to one of my professors who recommended me to IAS on behalf of the college. I was also happy to have secured a good pointer, which I think was one of the criteria that made my selection possible. I contacted my guide, completed all the formalities, booked the tickets, and finally, on May 9, 2018, I was all set to go for the internship. I studied at Surat, my home town is Bhopal, and I had to travel to Tirunelveli, a district in South Tamil Nadu. I was quite nervous too, as I would be travelling a long distance alone for the 1^st time. Also, it was very far from Surat or Bhopal. Going there was also very expensive. It meant that I had to spend the 2 months of training there without meeting anyone I know, my parents or my friends.

Somehow, I reached my destination. Not forgetting to mention, I had a lot of troubles during the journey, which was broken into train journey plus flight plus bus journey. After reaching the university which I was allotted, i.e. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, I received one more shock that I was the only north Indian there.

Well, I began my work. My research topic was Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles. I had to find new eco-friendly or biological ways of synthesizing silver nanoparticles, and then I had to study the properties of synthesized nanoparticles. Yes, it was difficult, that too if you’d just completed your BSc 2^nd year. But I had to do it.

It was very difficult to live there without knowing the language, and with a completely different kind of food. In the initial days, I had a lot of difficulties. But then I accepted the changes, as I knew I had to undertake this internship. Also, I could not let the thousands of rupees used for the flight tickets to go waste. Also, I could not let my efforts to reach there go in vain.

Days passed and I began to get more comfortable. I made some friends. The people were very kind and helpful towards me. I learned so many new things. I learned the working of X-ray diffractometer, FTIR, and also UV-visible spectrometer. I was glad to see that the university was having its own XRD machine (To tell you, it is very expensive and only some institutes have it). I even had to prepare reports. In the process, I also learned to operate few new software.

My guide was happy with me. And yes, my luck, National Conference on Energy Materials was held at the university in June end. PhD scholars present their papers or theories in conferences. But I got a chance to present my work through poster presentation. There, all were astonished that just a 2^nd year BSc student had presented a work among all the PhD students. All were very proud of me. Finally, on July 4^th, I completed my 56 days (made mandatory by the IAS) of internship. I also received rupees 20000 as stipend, 10000 for each month, along with 1500 as travel fare. I also received the IAS certificate.

I feel fortunate and glad to have been able to do this project. And I am sure it is going to help me furthest in my career.

About the Author:

Damini Saxena

My name is Damini Saxena, I’m in 3^rd year of Integrated MSc Applied Physics at NIT, Surat. My hobbies include drawing, sketching, cooking, writing, and singing. I have competed my schooling from St. Joseph’s Convent Sr. Sec. School, Bhopal.