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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
India wins 3 gold, 2 silver medals at 55th International Physics Olympiad
India bagged three gold and two silver medals at the 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2025, which concluded in Paris, France, on July 24, with all five members of the team bagging medals. Kanishk Jain from Pune in Maharashtra, Snehil Jha from Jabalpur, and Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore in Madhya Pradesh won gold medals, whereas Aagam Jignesh Shah from Surat in Gujarat and Rajit Gupta from Kota in Rajasthan won silver medals. India was placed at the fifth position, along with Taiwan, Japan, and Russia, at the week-long event, whereas the USA emerged as the champions with five gold medals. South Korea, China, and Hong Kong shared the second position with 4 golds and 1 silver medal each. A total of 415 students from 87 countries participated in the competition. This was India's 26th appearance at the IPhO. Over the years, nearly 42 per cent of Indian students have won gold medals, another 42 per cent silver, 11 per cent bronze, and 5 per cent honourable mentions. In the last 10 years, all Indian students at IPhO have won either gold (58 per cent) or silver (42 per cent) medals. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, which is the only nodal Centre for training and selecting students to represent India at various International Olympiads, will felicitate the winning team of the 55th IPhO on Saturday. According to HBCSE, the Indian team was led by Prof Sitikantha Das from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and Vinayak Katdare, retired from D G Ruparel College in Mumbai, and two scientific observers — Dr Amruta Sadhu from St Xavier's College in Mumbai and Dr Vivek Lohani from Robert Bosch GmbH, Germany.
India Today
20-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
India wins 3 golds at International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia, ranks 7th
India won three gold medals and secured the 7th position amongst 110 participating countries at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, held in Sunshine Coast, a total haul of six medals -- three gold, two silver, and one bronze -- the Indian team has once again proved its rising strength in global mathematical year's medal-winning team consisted of Kanav Talwar, Aarav Gupta, and Adhitya Mangudy (gold medallists), Abel George Mathew and Aadish Jain (silver), and Archit Manas (bronze).advertisement The team also achieved a record cumulative score of 193 out of 252, the highest ever by India in its 35 appearances at the IMO since debuting in AND TRAININGThe Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, is the nodal agency responsible for organising India's participation in international science olympiads, including oversees the national selection exams, training camps, and preparation strategies for team 2025 delegation was led by Professor Shanta Laishram from ISI Delhi, with Dr Mainak Ghosh from ISI Bengaluru serving as Deputy team also included two observers: Atul Shatavart Nadig, currently a BS student at MIT, USA, and Dr Rijul to the official statement from HBCSE, India has seen a steady rise in performance at the IMO over the past few years. This is the second time India has won three gold medals (the first was in 1998) and the third time, placing 7th, matching its rank from 1998 and achieved its best-ever rank of 4th in 2024, when it won four gold medals. From 2019 to 2025, Indian students have collectively won 12 gold medals, with nine golds earned in just the last three years -- 2023, 2024, and THE INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIADThe IMO is the world's most prestigious mathematics competition for high school participating country fields six students, who solve six challenging problems over two days, covering algebra, number theory, combinatorics, and geometry. The maximum individual score is 42, with a team total of year's Olympiad hosted 630 students from 110 nations, making India's performance especially commendable among a highly competitive international field.- Ends
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
India ranks 7th at International Mathematical Olympiad 2025; wins 3 golds
The Indian team secured the 7th position out of 110 countries at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Sunshine Coast, Australia. India's team at the 2025 edition consisted of six contestants and returned with a total of six medals, including, three gold, two silver, and one bronze. The unofficial country rank based on the results is 7th, and the team also set a new national record with a cumulative score of 193 out of 252, the highest ever by India at the IMO. The selection and training of Indian participants for the IMO are coordinated by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR. The HBCSE is the nodal agency responsible for conducting the National Olympiad Examinations in various subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy. According to an official statement, this marks the third time India has achieved the 7th rank, equalling earlier results from 1998 and 2001. The country has now placed in the top 10 seven times in 35 appearances at the IMO since its debut in 1989. This year's Indian team included Kanav Talwar, Aarav Gupta, and Adhitya Mangudy, who each secured gold medals. Silver medals were awarded to Abel George Mathew and Aadish Jain, while Archit Manas won the bronze. All six participants are from different parts of the country, with four of them based in Delhi. The Indian delegation to IMO 2025 was led by Prof Shanta Laishram from the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi, and Deputy Leader Dr Mainak Ghosh from ISI Bengaluru. Observers included Mr Atul Shatavart Nadig, a BS student at MIT, USA, and Dr Rijul Saini. According to the statement by the HBCSE, India's performance in the IMO has shown consistent improvement in recent years. This is the second time the country has won three gold medals at the Olympiad, the first was in 1998. In 2024, India achieved its best-ever rank of 4th and won four gold medals. From 2019 to 2025, Indian students have won 12 gold medals, including nine in the last three years alone (2023, 2024, and 2025). The International Mathematical Olympiad features six problems, selected from topics such as algebra, combinatorics, number theory, and geometry. Participating countries are allowed to propose up to six problems, which are reviewed and shortlisted by a Problem Selection Committee set up by the host country in consultation with the IMO Board. The maximum individual score at the IMO is 42, with a team total score cap of 252 across six members. This year, at the IMO, a total of 630 students from 110 countries participated.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Is social media telling you what to eat? Here's how to access accurate nutritional information
Do you start your mornings with detox water, flaxseeds, chia seeds, eat collagen for skin during the day and add a dose of magnesium for good sleep? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. The global health and wellness market stood at $1.4 trillion in 2024 according to a report by McKinsey, the multinational consulting firm. The report highlighted that people are prioritising wellness more than ever and are looking for science-backed products. How is wellness and nutrition a central narrative of our conversations these days? Clinical nutritionist Amita Gadre explained: 'Today, the ultimate status symbol is health and vitality. A glowing skin, a high-energy lifestyle, and a fit physique are the new aspirations. And social media is the perfect stage for this display.' However, in an information-filled world, people are struggling to understand nutrition science, an area of study that is already a complex subject. A recent peer-reviewed study conducted on Indian students highlighted how 'social media impacts an individual's eating patterns by acting as a stimulus for immediate consumption of food, cravings and trying trends.' Another study from South Africa also found that social media is used to 'access and implement nutrition information while showing the inability of participants to assess whether nutrition information on social media is evidence-based and correct.' A simple Google search tells us what to eat or drink and how much, for our weight concerns, skin concerns or even conditions such as diabetes. However, this information is not always accurate, as it is sometimes not backed by strong scientific evidence, may promote conflicting views and could even distort scientific findings to promote one particular food item or product. 'While social media has raised awareness, it has simultaneously created a 'Wild West' of information that has deeply complicated the public's understanding of nutrition,' said Ms. Gadre. So what is the science behind nutrition and food? Eating five oranges will not give you glowing skin overnight Vikrant Ghanekar, scientific officer, Biology Cell at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education explained that the small intestine has an extensive supply of blood vessels to facilitate the uptake of nutrients. He added that 'excess vitamins, minerals may not give immediate benefits because water-soluble vitamins (Vitamin B and Vitamin C) are lost through body fluids [urine] and excessive oil-soluble vitamins can be harmful for metabolism. Regular supply through fruits and leafy vegetables is enough to maintain a balance,' he said. Ms. Gadre explained how eating one food may not immediately impact our health. 'Take Vitamin C as an example (from oranges). It is water-soluble, so it is absorbed in the small intestine and carried in the blood. Your body takes only what it needs. The rest is excreted in urine. No amount of oranges can force your skin to glow instantly. Glow comes from a combination of hydration, healthy fats, protein and antioxidants, not just one vitamin. Also, absorption depends on gut health, the presence of other nutrients, and overall balance.' 'So yes, eat your oranges. But also eat your dal, rice, ghee, sabzi, nuts - glow comes from nourishment, not gimmicks.' Food as a cure What many struggle to understand or often misunderstand, is whether food can cure diseases or medical conditions. Krish Ashok, author of the book Masala Lab explained 'good food provides ingredients for the body's immune system to function at its best (genetically determined) capacity. But beyond that, food cannot act like medicine.' It is the same with seeds, spices and water. According to Ms. Gadre, kitchen ingredients such as carom seeds or fennel seeds (ajwain, dalchini, jeera, saunf) are great in culinary doses and have traditional digestive benefits. When asked if they could help lose weight, she said, 'To expect them to cure obesity or diabetes is taking it too far. Superfoods don't undo overeating or inactivity. Weight loss and metabolic health require exercise, stress and sleep management and calorie balance.' Commenting on daily water requirements, she said, 'Hydration is vital, but that 8-glass rule is generic. Overhydration can lead to electrolyte imbalance. A good rule of thumb: drink when you're thirsty, sip more in hot weather or after workouts, and observe your urine color - pale yellow is ideal. Water doesn't flush toxins.' The internet's latest obsession A simple keyword search - 'how to lose weight' unwraps a whole lot. Search results lead to multiple videos explaining how to lose weight with the help of 'natural ozempic'. These videos say that a concoction of vegetables such as cucumber, celery, and bitter gourd constitute 'Nature's Ozempic' and claim that this can lower blood sugar and melt fat. Ozempic is an antidiabetic and anti-obesity medicine which is prescribed under medical supervision for weight management. There are multiple videos promoting juices of certain vegetables and drinking these on empty stomach for weight loss. Ms. Gadre, commenting on this trend, explained: 'There is no clinical evidence supporting these drinks for sustainable weight loss. Moreover, Ozempic is a prescription GLP-1 drug used for type 2 diabetes under strict medical supervision. You can't DIY that with karela [bitter gourd].' She further warned that 'Overconsumption of raw vegetable juices can cause bloating, nutrient imbalances, risk of kidney stones and even blood sugar dips if not combined with meals.' Hazards of social media-related nutritional information While social media promotes certain foods, it also creates fear around a few food products. This makes understanding what to eat and what not more complex. Both sugar and carbohydrates have earned a bad reputation on social media. And while too much of either can be detrimental, many take extreme measures to curb it from their diets. The Mayo Clinic prescribes: 'people need at least 130 grams of carbohydrates every day to meet the body's energy needs.' A Johns Hopkins blog post on sugar explains, 'Our bodies run on sugar. Removing natural sources of sugar and other carbohydrates from your diet — fruits, dairy products and grains — is not a healthy choice'. Diets that cut out all carbohydrates and sugars, such as the ketogenic diet, can be harmful to your health, it says. Ms. Gadre added: 'Social media thrives on black-and-white thinking. Nutrition science is all about context, dose, and individuality. Is sugar 'bad'? It depends. A spoonful in your chai is vastly different from drinking a litre of soda. The diet that worked for a 22-year-old actor in Bollywood is unlikely to be the right fit for a 45-year-old working mother in Delhi. Genetics, gut microbiome, lifestyle, stress levels, and cultural background all determine what works for you.' The nuances of nutrition science When it comes to a nuanced understanding of nutrition science, randomised controlled trials are the gold standard to understand how and why certain foods get easily absorbed by the body. But a lot of claims are based on observations and observational studies, and therefore can or cannot be applied to everyone. A study by the American Diabetes Association explores what makes nutrition research so difficult to conduct and interpret. It states: 'observational studies have been used to track dietary intake in large numbers of participants and can be used to track such data over many years. Observational studies are not carefully controlled like clinical trials, so their results may be less reliable.' So how do younavigate nutritional misinformation? Here are some tips that may help: Follow verified accounts and check the credibility of the person posting the video. Do not follow anything online blindly. Always verify - cross check, read and use multiple sources. Beware of fad diets, easy solutions and seemingly magical remedies. If in doubt, or if you have an existing medical condition, always consult your doctor before starting or stopping anything (Nabeela Khan is is a Delhi-based health and science journalist. nabeelainayati@
India Today
16-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
India wins 4 medals, including 2 golds, ranks 6th at Chemistry Olympiad 2025 in UAE
India's four-member student team has returned from the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025 in Dubai with a strong showing, bringing home two gold and two silver medals. Held between July 5 and 14, the competition saw participation from 354 students representing 90 countries and five observer nations. This marks India's 26th appearance at the gold medals were won by Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and Sandeep Kuchi from Hyderabad, Telangana. The silver medals went to Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, and Ujjwal Kesari from New performance placed India in sixth position in the overall medal tally, alongside countries like Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and AND TRAINING The students were chosen through the National Olympiad Examinations conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai, which serves as the national nodal body for Olympiad preparation under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).The selection process involved multiple stages, including written exams and training team received mentoring from Professor Ankush Gupta (Head Mentor, HBCSE), Professor Seema Gupta (Acharya Narendra Dev College, Delhi), and scientific observers Dr Neeraja Dashaputre (IISER Pune) and Dr Amrit Mitra (Govt. General Degree College, Singur). Before departing for Dubai, the students underwent a rigorous training programme including theory sessions and lab work at 'S RECORD AT THE EVENTIndia has a consistent record at the IChO since its first appearance. According to official data, Indian participants have won 30% gold, 53% silver, and 17% bronze medals the last 10 editions, gold medal wins have increased to 38%, while silver medals have accounted for 58%, showing a steady rise in performance SUPPORT FOR STUDENTSThe participation of Indian students in international science Olympiads is supported by the National Steering Committee on Science agencies such as the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Space (DOS), and the Ministry of Education (MoE) provide funding and administrative support to ensure continued representation in global year's IChO outcomes reaffirm India's position among leading nations in pre-university science education and global academic success also highlights the importance of early mentoring and institutional support in building international-level scientific talent from India.- Ends
