Saiprasad Rao

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

We are aghast at this state of affairs.
https://t.co/EexGxLJshI

[Malay Krishna @Malay4Product]

I taught JEE physics for years. That paper breaks strong kids in three hours.

This exam is five hours of theory and five hours of lab work, and these five did close to perfect scores on it.

Let me tell you what actually happened.

The International Physics Olympiad is the world championship of school physics. It was the 56th edition. Held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from July 5 to 12.

381 students. More than 85 countries. Every one of them the best physics student their country could find.

India sent five kids.

All five came back with gold.

Their names are Kanishk Jain from Pune. Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore. Rishit Garg from Dwarka in Delhi. Shresth Suraiya from Mumbai. Svarit Joshi from Ahmedabad.

We know a hundred cricketers by their nickname and not one of these boys. :)

That clean sweep put India at joint World Number One. Tied with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Those are countries that pour serious money and national pride into science education. We are standing level with them.

Now here is what the exam actually was.

Two papers. Each five hours long.

The theory paper had three problems. One on the thermodynamics of paramagnetic cooling. One on the photoionisation of ozone. One on the dynamics of electron positron pairs.

The experimental paper was another five hours in a lab, working through heat transfer and thermodynamic processes in fluids.

That means you get given equipment you have never seen, and you have to design your own experiment, take your own readings, handle the errors, and reach a real answer.

Not multiple choice. No shortcuts. No pattern recognition. You either understand physics or you sit there for five hours.

HBCSE says the Indian students were near perfect on theory and excellent on the practical too.

Now, this was India's 27th appearance at the IPhO.

Across all those years, about 44 percent of Indian students have won gold, 41 percent silver, 10 percent bronze.

In the last ten years, every single Indian student has come home with a medal. 62 percent gold, 38 percent silver.

Not one kid has gone and come back empty handed in a decade.

Five golds in one year has happened only twice. This year, and in 2018.

So who built this.

The programme is run by HBCSE, the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education. It sits under TIFR, which sits under the Department of Atomic Energy.

They run the whole funnel. A national exam, then a national olympiad, then a brutal selection and training camp, and out of everyone in the country, five kids get on a plane.

The team was led by Professor Anwesh Mazumdar of HBCSE-TIFR and Dr Leena Joshi from St Xavier's College, Mumbai.

The scientific observers were Professor Ananda Dasgupta from IISER Kolkata and Nisha Kelkar from Gogate-Joglekar College in Ratnagiri.

Yes. Ratnagiri. A college in a small coastal town in Maharashtra.

This is public education doing something the private coaching industry could never do on its own.

The coaching industry is very good at one thing. Teaching you to solve a known problem fast.

That is what JEE and NEET reward, and I say that with love because I was part of that world.

But an olympiad paper does not have a known type. There is no shortcut chapter. There is no formula sheet that saves you. You have to sit with a problem you have never seen and think.

That is a completely different muscle. And a government funded centre has been quietly building it in Indian teenagers for 27 years.

So yes, be proud. Loudly.

HBCSE also shared that around 64 percent of India's olympiad medallists go on to do a PhD.

But only about 32 percent of medallists end up settling in India.

I do not say that to spoil the moment. These kids owe the country nothing. They earned every option they have.

But it should tell us something. We are excellent at finding this talent. We are excellent at training it. We are still not great at giving it somewhere worth staying.

Congratulations Kanishk, Riddhesh, Rishit, Shresth and Svarit. This is one of the best things an Indian did this year and most of the country will never hear about it.

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@Malay4Product What an achievement. Hope the GOI has a plan to retain them in India.

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

Major traffic jam @HAL underpass. Watch out. @DCPTrEastBCP

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@sanjusayz @ARanganathan72 This Daycare was in Capgemeni bangalore. So you know where the pressure is coming from.

[Greater Bengaluru Authority @GBA_office]

Footpath encroachment removal drive carried out at ORR, Bellandur–Marathahalli Division by Bengaluru East City Corporation to reclaim pedestrian spaces and ensure safe, obstruction-free walkways for the public.

Citizens are requested to refrain from encroaching on footpaths and to support efforts in creating a cleaner, safer, and more pedestrian-friendly city.

#GBA #GreaterBengaluruAuthority #BengaluruEastCityCorporation #FootpathFree #NoEncroachment #PedestrianSafety #CleanCity #SwachhBharat #NammaBengaluru

[Sudhakar Rao @sudhakar10]

Those shedding crocodile tears for street vendors occupying footpaths should open a little space for them in front of their house.

The entire city has turned into garbage

Young, old and children are forced to navigate the deadly roads and many have already lost lives because there are no footpaths - a fundamental right of every citizen

The encroachment on footpaths - from vendors to private organisations and builders - is part of a big corrupt nexus. Those opposing @krishnabgowda 's latest move to free footpaths from encroachment are part of this nexus.

In the evening they will share pictures of encroachment and garbage and cry over Bangalore's pathetic infrastructure and oppose moves to bring any meaningful and fundamental changes during the day.

Every well meaning Bangalorean is standing firmly behind @krishnabgowda on his latest campaign

[B.PAC - Bangalore Political Action Committee @BPACofficial]

B.PAC has lodged a formal complaint with the @GBA_office regarding the indiscriminate littering of dog food in public spaces and residential areas. Such practices leave streets unhygienic, attract pests, and increase the risk of disease, affecting the health and well-being of both residents and animals.

Addressing the issue, Mr M Maheshwar Rao, @GBAChiefComm , has issued a stern direction to Bengaluru citizens to feed community dogs and other animals only in designated GBA feeding zones to help maintain cleanliness and public hygiene.

B.PAC welcomes and supports this initiative and urges all citizens to follow these guidelines to create a cleaner, healthier, and more responsible Bengaluru.
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#BPAC #CleanBengaluru #GBA #bengaluru #dogfoodlitter #litter #BetterBengaluru #nammabengaluru

@kiranshaw @RevathyAshok @nnarasimhan @TVMohandasPai @krishnabgowda

[Ashwin Mahesh @ashwinmahesh]

Met the new Bengaluru minister today at Vidhana Soudha. No selfie :) only discussion. Two principles and two suggestions from among a list of things we spoke about.

(a) Given the weaknesses in urban governance, we have to tackle public problems through greater participation of citizens. Please encourage this.

(b) Low hanging fruit will be easy to identify and pluck once we are clear about the tree. Set clear goals for each entity that can only be achieved through collaboration with others. The habit of collaborating will emerge.

(c) Inter-modal connections at all Metro stations can be pursued by the corporations and Metro working together. Both report to you.

(d) Buses are not in your control bus stops are. Please establish signage, shelter and seating at all stops.

Thank you, @krishnabgowda for the time and discussion. Like many others in the city, I would like to see you succeed in raising the bar for governance in the city. People still remember the last 'Krishna' that championed the city!

[Krishna Byre Gowda @krishnabgowda]

It’s a politically risky and unpopular decision. But, necessary for the sake of Bengaluru.
At least some footpaths should be reserved for pedestrians. I request people to respect the fundamental right of public to decent footpath. Pls voluntarily remove encroachments or obstructions. It is the law. It may inconvenience you. But, it is for the larger good.

ಇದು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ರಿಸ್ಕ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿಸಿದ ನಿಲುವು. ಆದರೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಜನರ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆ.

ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ಕೆಲವು ಪಾದಚಾರಿ ಮಾರ್ಗಗಳಾದರೂ ನಡೆಯುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಮೀಸಲಾಗಿರಬೇಕು. ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರಿಗೆ ಸುಗಮ ಪಾದಚಾರಿಮಾರ್ಗದ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಹಕ್ಕನ್ನು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಗೌರವಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ವಿನಂತಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.

ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಸ್ವಯಂ ಪ್ರೇರಿತರಾಗಿ ಒತ್ತುವರಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಡತಡೆಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ಇದು ಕಾನೂನಿನ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆಯಾಗಿದೆ.

ಇದರಿಂದ ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಅನಾನುಕೂಲ ಉಂಟಾಗಬಹುದು ಆದರೆ ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರ ಹಿತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿದೆ.

#GBA #GreaterBengaluruAuthority

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@itsm_hope 116

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@miradreaamy 415

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@asherrkiinee 36

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@TulasiramKV1 @bbmpcommission1 @BbmpEast @blrcitytraffic @halairporttrfps Thanks @GBAChiefComm @GbaEastCity7056
Cleanup is happening. We were praying for this to happen.

[Saiprasad Rao @sai1951]

@future_vision_x Life

[B.PAC - Bangalore Political Action Committee @BPACofficial]

The B.PAC Times Vol 66 spotlights STHREE DRIVES, Women and Transgender Auto Driver Training Programme that is advancing inclusive mobility, safer streets, and sustainable livelihoods across Bengaluru. By enabling women and transgender persons to become professional auto-rickshaw drivers, the initiative is creating economic opportunities, strengthening independence, and improving last-mile mobility for citizens.

. Beneficiaries Trained: 659
. Beneficiaries Who Received Driving Licence: 514
. Beneficiaries Currently Driving Autos: 412

Beyond training and employment, STHREE DRIVES is helping build a more equitable and progressive city where safety, visibility, and opportunity go hand in hand. Through inspiring stories, key milestones, and the collective efforts of partners and communities, this edition captures the growing impact of a movement that is driving meaningful change across Bengaluru.

Read the newsletter to discover how STHREE DRIVES is helping shape a safer, more inclusive future for the city: https://t.co/8FGNdXID4A

#BPAC #TheBPACTimes #bengaluru #STHREEDrives #sustainable #womenautodrivers

@kiranshaw @TVMohandasPai @RevathyAshok @CGI_Global @RakeshAerath @CSRwithSuren
@srividyanataraj @RLR_BTM @GBA_office
@DKShivakumar @MimiPartha @ShobhaBJP
@bykarthikreddy @KiranKS

[B.PAC - Bangalore Political Action Committee @BPACofficial]

Cycling creates a ripple effect of benefits that extends far beyond the rider. For individuals, it promotes better health, reduces stress, improves fitness, and transforms everyday commutes into opportunities for movement and well-being. At the city level, more bicycles on the road mean cleaner air, less traffic congestion, quieter streets, and more people-friendly public spaces. And for the planet, cycling offers one of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce emissions, lower carbon footprints, and conserve resources.

The humble bicycle may seem like a small choice, but its impact is far-reaching. Every ride contributes to healthier people, more livable cities, and a greener future, proving that sometimes the most powerful solutions come on two wheels. When are you planning to change the commute?

#BPAC #WorldBicycleDay #bicycles #BGREEN #Bengaluru #greenerfuture

@kiranshaw @TVMohandasPai @RevathyAshok @DULTBangalore @tweetenator @GBAChiefComm

[B.PAC - Bangalore Political Action Committee @BPACofficial]

A period-friendly world is one where menstruation is treated with understanding, dignity, and normalcy. It is a world where girls and women have access to safe hygiene products, accurate information, supportive environments, and the confidence to speak about periods without fear, shame, or stigma.

Creating such a world begins with awareness, empathy, education, and open conversations. Because when menstruation is understood naturally and managed hygienically, communities become healthier, more inclusive, and more empowered for everyone.
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#BPAC #MenstrualHygieneDay #menstruation #womenempowerment #OwnYourPeriodsHygienically

@kiranshaw @RevathyAshok @TVMohandasPai

[NDTV @ndtv]

"Bengaluru is already India's number 1 education hub. What we need to do is to leverage that": Educationist Nooraine Fazal (@noorainee) to NDTV's @shivaroor and @dpkBopanna

[B.PAC - Bangalore Political Action Committee @BPACofficial]

The importance of menstrual hygiene cannot be overstated. It is not just essential for personal health and well-being, but also deeply connected to dignity, confidence, self-esteem, and equal participation in everyday life. Yet, even today, a significant section of society continues to face stigma, misinformation, outdated perceptions around menstruation, and limited access to safe menstrual hygiene resources.

It is time to change the conversation from silence and shame to awareness and empowerment. This Menstrual Hygiene Day, let us vow to build a more informed, inclusive, and hygienic future where periods are understood naturally, spoken about openly, and managed safely with dignity for all.

#BPAC #MenstrualHygieneDay #menstruation #womenempowerment #OwnYourPeriodsHygienically

@kiranshaw @RevathyAshok @TVMohandasPai