Summer Internship with TIFR — Prachi from Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
Wildcard entry for: – 2nd September 2012
Name of the intern: – Prachi
Institute: – Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
Organization interned with: – National Centre for Radio Astrophysi
Having arrived at Pune University I was searching for NCRA, eager to see it. When I reached the campus, the first thing that struck me was the greenery. Having studied in Trivandrum for the last three years I was rarely surprised by such things but the NCRA campus was different. The next thing which anyone would notice is the majestic 15 m telescope. I was thrilled to see it from such proximity. I went to the reception and completed all my formalities, the guards were helpful throughout and guided me to my lodging. It was a modest accommodation but equipped with all necessities. On the first day at the hostel, I came to know that it was a co-ed hostel. Having lived only in a girls’ hostel (co-ed college though), at first I felt a little uncomfortable. Later I would realise that it’s not really much different in any way.
I patiently waited for the next day so that I could meet my guide and start working. I was both nervous and excited about the new place I was at. Next day, I and my colleague met our guide. He welcomed us first and then briefed us about what was expected of us during the next six weeks. He outlined our roles and the work they expected us to complete. Then he said one of the most inspiring lines I have heard, “This internship focuses at building of a radio telescope which if you must know, we could have ordered from US any time and would have installed by now. But we have students like you with both the capability and available resources to make it here, so we will prefer to give you a chance. India has always been indigenous in its space programs and we should aim the same for future. That is how we would like to see the future of Indian space program.” Next, he took us on a tour of the radio lab at NCRA. There we saw two more radio telescopes in addition to the earlier one. They were approximately of the same dimensions as that of the one we were supposed to design. One was imported from the US and the other one was made from scrap, in NCRA itself. There was a stark difference in the appearances but what amazed me was that we could make something equivalent to international standards from mere scrap. This made me realize the talent pool that we own in India.
There was a brief history of GMRT (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope) describing how even with less than one-fourth the budget required, the engineers made it possible to construct it. This made me think about the role of engineers in science. Until then I had never seen engineering as a way of making things possible anyhow. I was filled with utmost respect for the engineers who designed GMRT because they never let the lack of funds be an obstacle; instead, devised new ways to encounter all problems. That is what engineering is all about and indeed life too.
Apart from the work, what I enjoyed most in my in internship was the freedom given to us. There were no fixed reporting hours but we were required to send the work done by us through e-mail to the guide. We could work in the hostel, lab or library provided we finished the assigned work. This is what makes research organisations great — the freedom to work comfortably and indeed NCRA-TIFR was such an organisation. There was no curfew in the hostels either (like I have in my college). It was a culture purely driven by work, as long as you finished the job expected of you no one judged you on what else you did with your life. When there is too much of freedom, it gives rise to a deep sense of responsibility. The fact suddenly dawns upon you that you are yourself responsible for all your decisions and their consequences. I made new friends there and learnt things which I hadn’t despite having lived three years in a hostel. And yes, the food was fabulous and I mean it. It was a common canteen for students, faculty and guests and hence the delicious meals. I learned a lot about radio antennas and their design; finished my internship successfully and thoroughly enjoyed it but more than that I had a new experience about life.
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