Sport reporting

Age is not barrier to win anything

Kamal Dave (Ahmedabad)

28th October, 2009

14 years old Sharad Mirani from Ahmedabad won bronze medal in the global
scientific competition conducted by International Earth Science Olympiads (ISSO) in
Taiwan. His impeccable knowledge in earth sciences, identifying different types of
rocks with an ease and skills in using GPS and reading maps prove his extra
ordinary talent in this field in the small age.

Sharad was part of the four-member team representing India at IESO, an annual
competition for secondary school students. It tests their abilities in disciplines like
geology, meteorology, environmental science and terrestrial astronomy.

After winning the award, Sharad says, "It was a great experience for me competing
with participants from across the globe. We went through different theoretical and
practical tests on the knowledge of rocks, field investigation among other
activities."

About 18 countries including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Nepal,
Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, Sir Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and 3
observing teams from Argentina, France, and Ukraine participated in this world
competition.

Sharad aspires to be an astrophysicist, says his father Chandrakant Mirani. The IESO
2009 was organized from September 14 to September 22 on the theme of
environment.

Sharad, a student of Prakash Higher Secondary School also carried a Basalt rock
from Gujarat to Taiwan which will be apart of the monument to be constructed
remembering the global competition.

He told that senior scientist at Gujarat Science City, Narottam Sahoo gave positive
response about the Sharad. He told that Sharad is the first student in the state to
achieve such prestigious honour and recognition at the International Science
Olympiads. His award will inspire and encourage who are preparing for the for the
next IESO 2010 to be held in Indonesia."
(Courtesy to Parth Shah of YUVA for arranging the session with Mr.
Sharad)