Off to NASA

Budding scientist Abhishek has been invited by the space agency to participate in a training programme.

Unlike most of other thirteen year olds, what Abhishek Bansal likes most is his school science laboratory. And it is this love for science and robotics that has got him an invitation from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to participate in robotic skill training programme for the year 2012.
Abhishek is among six students from India who have been invited to this world-renowned institute. A student of St Mary's School, this lad has brought laurels to his family and school.
Abhishek says, "I am quite inquisitive by nature. Like for the first time when I saw a remote-controlled helicopter, I was curious to know how it flies. I asked my teacher about its working and he showed me the technology and its functions. In my school, we have a laboratory for technical experiments but it is for students of class 10 and above only. But, I have a special permission from the headmistress to work in that lab."  
Though Abhishek doesn't have a pile of certificates and medals, he still is an achiever. He added, "I don't have a giant list of medals and awards, however, I have bagged first prize in junior scientific summit last year held at Bangalore. Apart from that, I participated in Delhi science fair this year at Pragati Maidan where I gave a speech on modern methods to generate green energy to cut short fuel expenditure. It was a part of school programme but I got a chance to learn many things."
Abhisek has a keen interest football and watching movies. He obviously prefers sci-fiction movies. "I balance my studies as I only practice in my school lab after the school hours for two or three hours, thrice in a week," he says.

Future plans
Abhishek admires Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Stephen Hawkings and wants to meet both them. About his goals and future plans he says, "I wish to get admission in Toyohashi University of Technology where I can learn sophisticated techniques. The most interesting thing is they have a tech-robotic club for their students."

Family's support
Abhishek's father Sumit Bansal is looking for a bright future for his kid. Sumit says, "We never pressurise him to do anything. He has made us proud by being invited to NASA. It's like milestone in his career."

--Gorky Bakshi