Going back to your birthplace always feels great, doesn't it? Before you start questioning my choice of words, let me explain: I was born in Pune but only spent about five and a half years there (in 2 chunks). My life is divided between Pune, four years in Ahmedabad, and the rest in Uran, where I currently reside. I used to call Pune my hometown, but I've begun to question that lately.
Uran, where I live now, once, for a few days, held the dubious distinction of being the most polluted place (Air pollution) in the world. Many factors contributed to this, but we locals believe the major culprits were the construction of the airport at Panvel, the Atal Setu and other fly-over constructions in an around Uran. So, returning to Pune not only brought back memories but also a sense of relief. Pune isn't the cleanest place either, but compared to Uran, the difference is stark—especially with no humidity.
This post is a follow-up to my previous blog, "The First Breakthrough." If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you check it out before continuing.
The Road to the State Level Competition
After qualifying for the state level with the wrong subject on my presentation, we had to redo everything. By "we," I mean my dad, who took on the heavy lifting so I could focus on my 10th-grade backlog. Of course, I couldn't resist joining my friend to make our third prototype for the actual science exhibition, where my partner was set to present.
The event was scheduled for the day after the seminar at KV AFS shift 1 and 2. As the day approached, my dad completed the new PowerPoint presentation. All I had to do was master every detail. Feeling well-prepared and confident, we discovered we would be traveling on the new Vande Bharat train. Excitement! Despite the lore in our school that it was "the poorest in all KVs," I was sponsored for a trip to Jaipur and now this. It was turning out to be quite an adventure.
The Journey to Pune
With high spirits, we set off, escorted by my 9th-grade Physics teacher. I spent the journey reviewing the presentation and snacking on cashews and pistachios my mom packed. The only downside was the food on the train—an oily vada, chakli, and tea/coffee that we couldn't even finish.
We arrived in Pune at nightfall, greeted by cleaner air. The school accommodating us was in the cleanest and coolest part of Pune. I had dinner, revised the presentation, and went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up early, walked around the school, and chatted with students from across Maharashtra and Goa. It was great to socialize with new people.
The Big Day
All the judges were women from an institute I can't recall. The event began with a welcome song and dance, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My presentation was third. Despite some issues with the coordination between me and the teacher controlling the PC, it went well. Although I didn't secure a position, the judges seemed to like my performance.
One highlight was when a teacher made her presentation on the main topic of the exhibition, and the judges commented, "Why didn’t anyone cover the main topic?" My escort teacher was furious at their lack of awareness about the theme, and I silently agreed with the irony.
The Return Journey
We returned via an AC bus, and nothing noteworthy happened until we reached Nerul. Unfortunately, we missed the last bus to Uran. After a frustrating wait and several rejections from cab services, we finally got a ride around midnight. My dad was still awake, waiting for my arrival, and we reached home around 1 AM.
Reflections
This trip might not have been as exciting as my previous ones, but it taught me valuable lessons about navigating travel challenges. Participation in these events not only honed my presentation skills but also exposed me to new cultures and perspectives. I'm confident I can travel alone now.
Participation is essential, not just as a student but as a human being. It opens up new fields to explore. I encourage you to participate in such events; you never know what awaits you.
I am grateful to my school for this exposure and opportunity. This journey from Jaipur to Pune was possible thanks to my school and teachers. I thank the organizers for the opportunity to showcase my skills and everyone who followed this series of blogs.
I look forward to more travels and participations in the coming 2 years at Kendriya Vidyalaya NAD Karanja with more learnings. I would love to hear about your travel adventures and what you learned from your experiences. Comment below and share with me.
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