Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Dec 1: A minor planet has been named after Swastik Padma, a second year PU (science) student of Vivekananda PU College here. This honour has been extended to Swastik, taking into account the distinction he had achieved in the international level science and engineering fair - 2018 (ISEF-2018).

Swastik has been conferred with this rare honour by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory and International Astronomical Union.

With this, Swastik Padma has earned the eligibility to participate in Google Science Fair being held during May, 2019. He would be presenting a research essay on 'Desal: development of a novel land feasible desalination device'.

Swastik has achieved the distinguished feat of representing India in international level events twice in the past. During his participation in International Science and engineering fair in 2017, he had made an item by using slag with non-reusable plastic, which was 24 times stronger as compared to iron. He had won special award for this discovery. During the similar event in 2018, he had discovered a paper slip that can diagnose malnutrition among children six months in advance. He also had discovered paper slip that can detect oral cancer much in advance. For his achievements, he had bagged Second Grand Award.   He was presented with the National Child Award from the President of India on November 14 last year.

Swastik also has in his kitty NCSC young scientist award, as well as international plast icon award at the plastic exhibition held at Ahmadabad. He happens to be the son of Kedila Murgaje Sriram Bhat M and Mallika couple from Bantwal taluk.

Swastik says that 2,450 students from 85 countries take part in this international fair. He expresses having felt a feeling of pride at the fact that the organizers mention the name of the country one represents, and the honour goes to the country. He says he is happy about the fact that a minor planet is being named after him.