Odisha boy qualifies as scientist in ISRO, tops among 7 lakh applicants

Alok Bhanja, a 20-year-old youth from Odisha’s Balasore district has brought laurels for the State. Alok has ranked top among 7 lakh applicants who applied as research scientist in ISRO.

Apart from ISRO, he will be imparted training in NASA and BARC after completion of his graduation. With a humble beginning at Bhogaria’s Shraddhapur high school, Alok completed his +2 Science at Vidyanjali college in Seragada.

Ranked 16th among 100 candidates in the ISRO test in January, he secured the top position after the second one in February sending a wave of jubilation in his village Praharajpur. The examination was held at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Hyderabad in two phases in January and February.

From his childhood, the 20-year-old had shown signs of brilliance by excelling in studies. Belonging to a mediocre family, Alok’s father makes his living by farming vegetables.

Alok’s father Dayanidhi Bhanja said that the family is proud of his feat. “He started receiving scholarship at an early age of 7. He has achieved all by his efforts. I wish he becomes a successful scientist and works for the country.”

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