Aadhya Paul, a 12-year-old Class 7 student from Atomic Energy Central School-4, has once again proven her scientific prowess by topping the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) 2024-25 State Level Camp held at Sathaye College, Mumbai. Her outstanding performance earned her the title of Maharashtra state topper in her category, along with a cash prize of ₹5,000, a certificate, and a trophy.
This year’s VVM State Level Camp brought together 126 students who had excelled in district-level exams conducted in October 2024. These participants were selected from a pool of over 3,500 students across the Konkan region. The camp included challenging rounds like the Application Oriented Scholastic Aptitude Test (AOSAT) and the Experimental Skill Test (EST). A total of 18 winners were declared, with 12 students, including Aadhya, moving on to represent Maharashtra at the national level in May 2025.
Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, organized by Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) in collaboration with Vigyan Prasar (under the Department of Science and Technology) and NCERT, is a prominent science talent search program. The initiative aims to foster scientific curiosity among students while highlighting India’s rich scientific heritage. It provides a platform for students to showcase their talent and explore innovative solutions to real-world problems.
This is not Aadhya’s first taste of success in the competition. She was also a national winner in the 2023-24 VVM, held at IISER Bhopal, showcasing her consistency and passion for science. Beyond VVM, Aadhya’s work has gained recognition in other prestigious platforms. Her innovative project on “Sustainable Nanopowder Impregnated Cloths for a Healthy Environment” won her a gold medal in the Dr. Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik Competition 2024.
Aadhya’s ingenuity has been evident in other projects as well. Her “Smart Apron for Delivery Boys” received accolades in national-level competitions, including Inspire Manak. Most recently, her project was selected for the CBSE National Science Exhibition, where she will represent Maharashtra in her category. She has also achieved success in several national and international Olympiads, underscoring her academic brilliance and scientific temperament.
Speaking about her accomplishments, Aadhya said, “Participating in these competitions has been an incredible journey. It has inspired me to explore science and technology further and contribute to solving real-world problems.”
Her school and teachers have lauded her achievements. “Aadhya is a shining example of what dedication and curiosity can achieve. She inspires her peers and makes us proud,” said one of her teachers.
With her sights set on the national stage, Aadhya continues to work diligently, inspiring young minds to dream big and innovate. Her journey exemplifies how the right opportunities, coupled with talent and hard work, can lead to remarkable achievements.
