Sky`s not the limit for Cnigdha

Ten-year-old Cnigdha Khamari was recently awarded a gold medal at the National Science Olympiad exam. She has set her mind on becoming an astronaut and aims to make her country proud one day

Cnigdha Khamari is a student of class five and studies in Ramsheth Thakur School, Sector 19, in Kharghar. At the tender age of 10, she wants to promote scientific knowledge in the country and has set tremendous goals for herself. Daughter of Kailash and Sandhya Kharmari, Cnigdha has set her heart on becoming an astronaut and has already taken the first few steps to achieve this dream.

Science is everything
I am a very curious person.  I love digging up facts and learning new things every day. My quest for knowledge it what keeps me going. I use the internet to research my favourite topics that include anything on science or human wisdom.
I am not a sceptic and I believe in God. However, I do not believe in ghosts or spirits. My friends try to prove me wrong. I, however, ask them for proof. Everything in life needs to be proved. I maintain a scientific approach towards everything in life and love debating with people about science.
I love science as a subject and I have already decided I am going to become and astronaut. I will make my country proud and help in the development of science.

Other interests
Besides reading science magazines and surfing the internet on the same topic. I like painting. I participate in many painting competitions at my school level.
I also like sports and participate in my school sports day. My favourite sport is lawn tennis and I love playing it.
I do well in my studies and my quest for science helps me academically

Tiny steps
I know I want to be an astronaut and when I won the gold medal at the National Science Olympiad exam it reinforced my determination.  The National Science Olympiad exam is conducted for students from classes I to X. I stood first in Maharashtra and fourth in India. I am dedicated towards my goal and in the next ten years I know I will be many steps ahead of this.

Ideal person
My ideal person is the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. She was the first human to reach space, making a 108-minute orbital flight in his Vostok 1 spacecraft. She is also my inspiration because she is a lady.

Memorable day
I was glad to receive a Gold Medal and Certificate for the National Science Olympiad. So far this is the most memorable day in my life. I made my family and school proud. One day I will make them proud by going into space.

--Indira Thakur