In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Today’s blog features Jasmin S. Shaikh, a DST Woman Scientist from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Jasmin’s experience has been full of inspiration — she ended up finding her idol, someone who sets a shining example of the path she wants to follow.

Jasmin S. Shaikh

The high point of my Lindau stint was meeting Ada E. Yonath, the Israeli crystallographer who shared the 2009 chemistry Nobel Prize with Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas A. Steitz for her studies on the structure and function of the ribosome. She is the first woman from the Middle East to win a Nobel in the sciences, and also the first woman in 45 years to win the Prize for chemistry. I have been deeply influenced by her research aimed at introducing innovative techniques in cryo-biocrystallography. In a profession with few women, I was extremely happy to have found the role model for my scientific carrier in Ada Yonath.

Ada Yonath{credit}Christian Flemming / Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings{/credit}

When I asked her about her success, she said women are strong but also kind and sacrificing. Women always have thoughts about the family and humanity. But as women get clarity on who they really are, they are able to achieve what they want. If you want to succeed in research you must teach yourself, “I am a great scientist. Whatever happens, I will work hard with passion. I am confident, smart and beautiful in my own soul”. As I saw her confidence, one thought came to my mind – a successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her. Women must always remember that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. So instead of feeling weak, you need to feel strong yet soft, powerful yet spiritual.

Albert Einstein said about women, “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before”. This thought aptly fits women in research. During the meeting, we had discussions on Marie Curie, whose University application was rejected because she was woman. She went on to become the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physics and the first person to win two Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry. Quoting her here won’t be out of place: “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” She proved from her life never to limit oneself because of others’ limited imagination.

For over a week with the Nobel Laureates, we discussed different problems in doing science and their unique solutions. One of the laureates Carl Wieman, the Nobel Prize winner of 2001, discussed which principles and methods one should use to think like a physicist. He told us how to attain expertise in anything by exercising the ability to monitor one’s own thinking and learning. By asking some simple questions to self, such as “Do I understand this?” or “How can I check this?”, one can develop new ways of thinking. Hiroshi Amano, the 2014 Nobel Laureate, shared his unique story on how he and his associates came up with the solution for white LED, which was impossible for decades.

I liked the many master classes because young scientists were able to ask questions directly to the Nobel Laureates, not just about their research but also about what life – how life changes with recognition and added responsibilities.

I am now connected with some of the people from the meeting as research collaborators and friends. We have shared photos and memories. I now realise the most powerful lesson from the meeting: “Science is the peaceful connector of countries, and education for all is necessary.”

More in the series: 

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

If the term ‘life-changing’ needed to be illustrated with an example, Belinda Damian‘s trip to Lindau would eminently qualify. For Belinda, a Masters student at Loyola college, Chennai, the meeting was not about science, it was about life skills. From a shy, young girl who had never travelled alone to an aspiring astrophysicist who wants to explore the world on her own, the metamorphosis has taken her own self by surprise. Belinda tells us what the ‘land of poets and thinkers’ did to her.

Belinda Damian

The first thing I recollect of my tryst with Lindau is the day I sent out my application for a meeting — a meeting I had never heard about before but one which would eventually turn out to be a life-changer. My day was jam packed with classes and I bunked a few (I regretted it then but can’t thank myself enough now) to literally run from door to door to get the application approved. During my marathon I nearly gave up thinking, “I don’t stand a chance”, but on the insistence of my compeer I finally sent out my application at the 11th hour. When I received a mail confirming my selection for the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, my joy knew no bounds. Despite having come back from the meeting, the feeling has not yet completely sunk in!

It is ironic what I personally achieved having participated in one of the biggest science extravaganza — for me the take homes were rather non-scientific, that of a deeper realisation of self. One question that kept haunting me was “How did ‘I’ get selected” since it was a national competition with only 20 odd seletions and I was never a very competitive person (did I mention that this was the first time I ever got selected in a nationwide competition?). I found an answer to it on my flight back home on the last day.

After hours of travel, the ‘land of poets and thinkers’ welcomed us with refreshing drizzles. Lindau to me was more than just a town, it was like living in a fairy tale, a treat for the eyes — I was enthralled. Little did I know that the following week had more surprises. The meet kick started with a grand opening in the historic city theatre (historic since it was where the first of these meetings took place) and the following days had a series of lectures, discussions, and master classes.

With 2011 Nobel Laureate Brian P. Schmidt

The first thing that astounded me about the Nobel Laureates was their magnanimity. They were considerate, even when every soul in the room was bugging them enthusiastically with questions. Some of the laureates actually showed more enthusiasm to interact with us than vice-versa. I sensed the humility when one of them queued up with the students for lunch.

The 2011 Laureate Brian P. Schmidt, who won the Nobel for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe, said during a discussion,“My life did change overnight when I heard about the Nobel Prize but everything depends on how you take it”. The values we hold dear in life should never be compromised by our professional positions — that was the repeated message young researchers heard at the meeting. Schmidt also addressed the issue of how some women researches were entering and surviving in the field of astrophysics. As a woman and an aspiring astrophysicist, this was very motivating.

As I said, I did find the answers to my question on the flight back home. One long held belief of mine that proved itself right was that ‘Everything happens for a reason and for one’s own good’. As I stood confused at the crossroads over choosing a career, this opportunity presented itself to me like a clincher.

My trip to Lindau had many firsts — travelling alone, being totally independent and realising the fun and responsibilities of freedom. It transformed me from being a shy person to one who made friends with researchers from all over the world effortlessly. I was surprised that I survived the trip being in a group of total strangers who ultimately spoke the same language. From being a person who was uncomfortable staying away from Chennai (my place of residence) to a person who yearns to solo travel the world — the trip to Lindau has given me wings. Now I face life with an entirely different perspective.

The one thing that I can’t emphasise enough to fellow youngsters is: never give up. If I had given up that day on sending the application, I would have missed this life-changing experience.

More in the series: 

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Tejal Agarwal, an integrated PhD student at IISER Pune amassed a lifetime worth of experience going around Germany’s best Universities and learning from a rich culture of innovation and collaborations.

Tejal Agarwal

As I am in the early stage of a research career, the stories of hurdles in the research path of Nobel Laureates were the most valuable for me. The mantra they gave us at the Nobel Laureates Meeting was: in research, everybody has to face ups and downs, but you need huge amounts of patience and determination to sail through. Don’t get depressed by unexpected results, try and find the reasons behind them — this may lead you to an important discovery.

I also came to know the scope of different fields of physics — what is it that Nobel Laureates and senior scientists expect from young scientists like us. Discussions with young scientists from different countries led us to think of future collaborations, research opportunities, PhD and post doctoral positions in different countries.

With 2005 Nobel Laureate Theodor W. Hansch

After the Lindau meet, we had the opportunity of visiting many German Universities and labs.  Among them were the celebrated University of Heidelberg, the University of Dusseldorf; Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI) Electronic Properties, Jülich; RWTH Aachen University and the Surface Physics Phillips University, Marburg. At Aachen, Prof. Matthias Wuttig introduced us not only to the labs but also to the historical importance of the city during World War II. In Hannover, we visited the Max Plank institute for gravitational Physics and Institute for Quantum Optics. In Max Plank, we saw the prototype of the LIGO detector (which detected gravitational waves in February 2016) and the super computing facility Einstein@Home.

We also interacted with officials from the German Research Foundation (DFG) in Bonn. We got a fair idea of various funding opportunities to pursue PhD, postdocs, internships and collaborations between Indian and German institutes.

On the last day of the trip, we visited the Technical University at Berlin and got a hang of all the programmes run by the India government at the Indian embassy in Berlin, which also fosters a strong climate of investment and collaborations for Indian innovators and researchers in Germany.

The one important networking opportunity that merits special mention was with fellow Indian scientists who came along on the trip — we form a lifelong bond now, sharing research experiences from different institutes of the country and becoming part of an alumni group that can support and encourage each other.

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

For Niyti Sharma, a young faculty member from the physics department of Kurukshetra University in Haryana, the biggest driver for a career in science is the constant learning. She was pleasantly surprised by how much remains to be known in her long road ahead as a scientist.

Niyti Sharma

Science is the study of the past, the present and the future. It tries to explain the formation and evolution of our surroundings, how we humans and other living and  non-living forms came into being and the phenomena which led to present form of earth, solar system and on the whole, this universe. It tries to describe various phenomena taking place around us and to predict what is going to happen as a result of these processes.

Having spent 10 odd years in research, I thought I knew a lot about science in general and physics in particular. This myth was shattered on the very first day of the Nobel Laureates meeting where the legends themselves admitted to learning new things everyday and that there were still innumerable things for them to learn! After my interactions with them and the young scientists at the meet, I had a deep realisation — that science is a journey to relish and not a destination.

With Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita

On a personal note, I got an opportunity to see how enthusiastic and passionate the Nobel Laureates have been about their research even after facing numerous obstacles and repeated failures. Though I found the talks of all the Nobel Laureates thought provoking, the lecture by Prof. Takaaki Kajita struck a chord. He was awarded Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015 for his work on neutrinos and neutrino oscillations, a topic which has always fascinated me. After his lecture, I interacted informally with him and was floored by his humility.

Apart from the privilege of interacting with 29 Nobel Laureates at a single event, discussions among young scientists provided a great chance to forge new global collaborations. The informal setting helped us learn a lot of physics and a lot more than physics from these amazing personalities.

I came back from the meeting with a huge sense of responsibility: that of taking the baton of research forward by working harder. The expectations are high — we are now part of a special community — a network of excellence. I hope that I make myself worthy of the legacy I have inherited as a Lindau Almuni and hope to make this community proud.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Self-motivation is the key to long research careers
• Lindau lessons: Science is like a philharmonic orchestra
• Lindau lessons: Secret behind work-life balance
• Lindau lessons: Where have all the women gone?
• Lindau Lessons: It’s OK to be ignorant
• Lindau lessons: Equality for genders, nations
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

In the series today, we have Yashika Ghai, a second Year PhD student from Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, Punjab. Yashika works in the field of theoretical plasma physics and was overwhelmed getting a peek into ideas that have led to Nobel winning technologies. She came back from the meeting brimming with self-motivation, something she realises is the key to arduously long careers is science.

Yashika Ghai

So many Nobel Laureates and young scientists from around the world in one place — not only did it gave me a solid grounding on the global status of science but also a glimpse into the research motivation and commitment of the pioneers of science. We had the opportunity to interact with young scientists from around 80 countries which was a great way to understand different cultures and exchange ideas.

The lectures and discussions with Nobel laureates made me realise how strong the motivation and commitment behind the development of new technologies is. Today, we live in a tech-era where new technologies continuously strive to improve the quality of life. However, to get a peek into the fledgling ideas, the initial drive that led to creation of such technologies, was something else.

While talking to the 2015 Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita, whose team built the Super-Kamiokande experiment in a coal mine one km below the surface of a mountain, I learnt how important self-motivation and team work are to overcome difficulties in science and for a long and fulfilling scientific career.

The best part of the meeting was that the Nobel Laureates were so approachable and we could talk to them anytime during several formal or informal gatherings. We would take pictures with them, ask questions about their journey towards the Nobel Prize and even chit-chat on how they manage to remain so happy and calm when there is so much at back of their minds. They replied to all our queries — big or trivial — in great detail and told us their life stories with utmost enthusiasm.

With Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita

Alongside the lectures and discussion, there were some illuminating panel discussions. One of them was on the problems faced by women scientists globally. It was a proud moment for me — while the whole world was discussing the issue of less number of women in science, there were ten women in our team of 21 young scientists from India.

I have seen women struggle hard to balance family commitments and scientific careers but I think the situation is changing now and I hope to see some women scientists as Nobel winners in science soon. One of the most practical lessons came during a discussion with the 1997 physics Nobel Laureate William D. Philips on how to be committed to science and research while maintaining a healthy family and personal life.

The poster sessions of young scientists and the master class, where a few young scientists got the opportunity to present their work in front of a Nobel Laureate, gave a flavor of the contemporary research going on globally. The meeting has left me feeling very positive — so many queries answered, lots of friends made and dollops of inspiration for my research work.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Science is a journey, not destination
• Lindau lessons: Science is like a philharmonic orchestra
• Lindau lessons: Secret behind work-life balance
• Lindau lessons: Where have all the women gone?
• Lindau Lessons: It’s OK to be ignorant
• Lindau lessons: Equality for genders, nations
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Among the many representatives from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata in the Indian delegation was Rajashik Tarafder, from the institute’s Center of Excellence in Space Systems. In the very opening performance of the Lindau meet — a harmony of cello, piano and violins by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  — Rajashik found a deeper meaning: the interdisciplinary spirit of science. A meaning that resonated through the week-long science and culture extravaganza.

Rajashik Tarafder

The island-town of Lindau greets you with cobbled streets, old buildings and a scenic glimpse of the Alps across the harbour. Bordered by four countries and surrounded by lake Constance, there is so much Lindau has to offer. Perhaps it was this beauty which inspired the founders to start the Nobel Laureates Meetings here in the first place.

Since its inception in 1951, it has grown to such proportions that it works somewhat like an annual clock for the residents of Lindau, much like the passage of migratory birds in primitive cultures. If the birds didn’t come, you knew the world was falling apart. Fortunately, the meet doesn’t seem to be facing any such departure from schedule anytime soon.

The meeting began with the harmony of a cello, a piano and violins by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, perhaps indicating the unison with which science should be practised. And what followed reflected this very spirit.

The following few days were overwhelming as all of us tried to gain from the wealth of information and experience we were exposed to. We kept learning and the laureates kept inspiring. In this regard, I owe a special thanks to Prof. Gerardus ‘t Hooft, winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize. His desire to keep challenging and questioning even well-accepted views for a better understanding of Nature symbolised the journey of science to me. I have received much strength and hope from him.

We forged collaborations and in the process we even made friends. We talked about barriers and how science would help us tear them down. We hoped for a better world and vowed silently to play our parts in it. It was humbling to know that each person in the room was excellent at what he/she did and shared the same dreams as you.

I am slightly cautious of vouching for the amount of science I learnt from the meet. I am more open to admitting that this meet celebrates science in all its glory. It changes your perspective, your approach. It makes you feel that you are a part of the global scientific community.

The best summary of the meeting is in its own mantra- ‘Educate, Inspire and Connect’. We did learn, we were inspired and we connected.

My gratitude goes out to the likes of Wolfgang Schürer,  and closer home to Dr. Sivaji Chadaram (DST, India) and his colleagues, who enable such meetings and the participation of young scientists in them. We all admire the work of such scientists and administrators and owe it to them for giving us these global platforms. They have only made science richer.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Science is a journey, not destination
• Lindau lessons: Self-motivation is the key to long research careers
• Lindau lessons: Secret behind work-life balance
• Lindau lessons: Where have all the women gone?
• Lindau Lessons: It’s OK to be ignorant
• Lindau lessons: Equality for genders, nations
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Today’s guest blogger is Ananya Mondal from the Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata. She shares the excitement of her selection process and reflects upon the core lesson of the meeting:  the 3 Ds behind a successful scientist — discipline, dedication and determination. Ananya also claims to have discovered the secret behind a successful work-life balance, quite early in her career.

Ananya Mondal

It was a terribly sunny day in Kolkata when I ran around from one office to another at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) — I had only 24 hours to complete my application for the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings and send it to the Department of Science and Technology, (DST) India.

After a tough two-level selection procedure I received a mail saying, “Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that the scientific review panel of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings has selected you to participate in the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting taking place from 26 June to 1 July 2016, in Lindau Germany. Only the 400 most qualified young scientists can be given the opportunity to enrich and share the unique atmosphere of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.”

I was in my fourth year of 5-year Integrated BS-MS studies with Physics as my major subject .The following year I was required to do a year long master thesis project. During this transition, I was in dire need of direction and ideas, hence this was one of the best opportunities I could have got.

In Lindau, like most of my fellow participants, I was inspired by the very first talk by Prof. Hiroshi Amano, the 2014 physics Nobel Laureate — he was not a good student till high school and always wondered why he should study hard just to enter a renowned University. Until one day when an old professor at his University gave him a life-altering motto: “Study to connect to people”. He never looked back after that. Over coffee, I got a chance to talk to him about his research dilemmas and funding problems. There was a time when his lab could not afford some equipment but instead of giving up, he and his team designed those very equipment themselves.

Today when I recall his words I realise a few things. First: minor day to day things can be as important in your journey towards the Nobel prize as going to space. Second: everyday science done with conviction culminates in big discoveries and so the roots should never be abandoned. Third: the 3 Ds — discipline, dedication and determination — should never be forgotten. I gathered from him that courage to chase one’s conviction takes one far. It doesn’t matter if I end up with wrong results but at least I’d know I am wrong and can now do better!

Prof. Hiroshi Amano’s life-altering philosophy

I made friends with many young scientists from various corners of the world. We discussed our ongoing research problems and exchanged views. I particularly remember a PhD student from Germany who works in my field of interest — complex systems. During a casual conversation, I suddenly found the solution to a problem I was stuck at, thanks to his expertise in the field that somehow guided me subconsciously. I realised that the amalgamation of culture, work experiences and age groups was a deliberate choice of the Lindau committee.

Science has no boundaries, it demands networking and connecting with researchers so that we can broaden our horizons. Even an introvert like me could not stop herself from meeting new people and knowing about their work during lunch breaks and cruise rides. Today I can motivate my juniors who are introverts like me to go up and talk to people because that is the best form of learning. And when one has had the chance to talk to Nobel Laureates and top young scientists one dare not miss this life-shaping opportunity!

The young scientist discussion sessions were one of my favourites because we had the chance of interacting with the Nobel Laureates. Students asked questions not only related to science but also regarding balancing one’s personal life with professional. I treasure the words of Prof. William Phillips, the 1997 physics Nobel winner,  because I believe he said something too beautiful to be true.While working on his research problems he would often be deeply engrossed but he made it a point to visit his son and wife in the evening. He read out stories to his son and only after he slept, the scientist left for his lab where he worked late nights. For a young researcher like me it was good to learn right at the beginning that one must master the art of balancing both worlds so that they coexist in harmony. I was also overwhelmed to learn about his enthusiasm to talk to the younger generation and answer their questions with as much detailing as possible.

The panel discussions, science breakfast discussions and poster sessions opened up to me the active research topics and a spectra of possibilities in the fields of general relativity, quantum information and soft matter physics. Different perspectives from the gems of physics broadened my outlook in these areas. Modern day science can no longer be demarcated as biology, chemistry, physics or mathematics. It is interdisciplinary and that is a how a scientist must be conditioned to think.

This interdisciplinary aspect came to life during panel discussions comprising people from various fields trying to argue the validity of a statement using basic scientific logic. The last panel discussion was dedicated to ‘The Future of Education in Sciences’ where pressing questions such as “How can we stimulate interest in studying science where it is lacking in the globe?”, “How can we rapidly scale education in natural sciences in emerging markets where resources are scarce but interest is burgeoning; are MOOCs the answer?”, “How do we account for the scarce female enrolment in science?”, were discussed.

There were several take home messages, one among those was delivered by the 2011 chemistry Nobel Laureate Prof. Dan Shechtman. He said in order to instil confidence in women that they are no less than men in science, one should start at a young age. Boys and girls should be given separate education and the idea that girls do not need to compete with boys in mathematics but only with oneself should be promulgated. He reported seeing better performance by girls in such cases.

I had always wondered what makes Nobel Laureates different. I presume it is not the blood or flesh but the never-say-die attitude, a good grasp of the fundamentals, asking the ‘right’ question, the indispensable instinct and the urge to do science to contribute to the society.

After the meeting, today when I look at myself in the mirror I can see a distinct difference — the clarity in my mind regarding addressing a research problem and a new spark in my eyes. Being a part of the alumni, I consider it my responsibility to spread the Lindau spirit ‘Educate, Inspire, Connect’ to young science enthusiasts in India and elsewhere.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Science is a journey, not destination
• Lindau lessons: Self-motivation is the key to long research careers
• Lindau lessons: Science is like a philharmonic orchestra
• Lindau lessons: Where have all the women gone?
• Lindau Lessons: It’s OK to be ignorant
• Lindau lessons: Equality for genders, nations
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Among the many young female scientists who participated in this year’s meet was Sohitri Ghosh from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata. Sohitri was left wondering why there is such a huge gender gap among those winning Nobel Prizes — 825 male winners but just 47 female winners since 1901. It is only a reflection of women’s poor representation in the science and research, which Sohitri hopes will get corrected in times to come.

Sohitri Ghosh

Sitting in the lecture hall in the 66th edition of the meeting this year, I couldn’t stop wondering why there is no Indian in a panel of 29 Nobel Laureates and why only a single woman was among them. As a member of the future generation of science in India, I am highly optimistic that some of us would be able to change this fact in the coming decades.

Two years back, when I got to know about the Lindau Nobel Laureate meetings, I had already started dreaming of being there someday, amidst those great minds. The dream, which seemed far-fetched at that point, became a pleasant reality when I got selected as a young researcher to participate in the meeting this year.

The meeting gave us an opportunity to interact with Nobel Laureates and discuss individual research ideas with them as well as among ourselves. As some of my fellow participants (Biplab Pal,  Nishchhal Verma,  Ritabrata Thakur and Nishchal Dwivedi) have already described, it was an amazing experience to see so many Nobel Laureates at one place, at one time. We got to hear from legends of physics, ask them questions during the discussion sessions and coffee breaks, when they seemed much more enthusiastic than us to answer every question.

Some of the Laureates like Prof. Hiroshi Amano, the 2014 physics Nobel Laureate, shared stories about their phases of struggle as researchers. Some of them have spent decades on the same research problem, leading to evidently big discoveries that won them the Nobel Prize. They were dedicated to their work because they believed in it. The message which inspired me most was that frustration should not stop you from achieving your goal, instead it should drive you to improve and get your work done if you believe in it.

Another lesson I learnt is that scientific curiosity cannot be bound by labels attached to the field. Laureates like Prof. Steven Chu, the 1997 physics Nobel Laureate, have worked and are still successfully working on different problems from different aspects of science. As a masters student, I am still curious about many fields of science and this inspires me to follow my instinct to explore different territories with utmost dedication.

It was a pleasure listening to the Heidelberg lecture by American internet pioneer Vinton G. Cerf. During the lecture I couldn’t help but think that this is one of the many greats for whom I could write this blog.

An important part of this meeting was to get a chance to meet with researchers working in the same field as I do and discuss about the current possibilities which can be explored. On the other hand, getting to know about current proceedings in the other fields from very competent participants enriched my overall knowledge.

It was a lifetime opportunity, that too at this early stage in my research career. The memories of the meeting would always motivate me to pursue science to make a difference.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Science is a journey, not destination
• Lindau lessons: Self-motivation is the key to long research careers
• Lindau lessons: Science is like a philharmonic orchestra
• Lindau lessons: Secret behind work-life balance
• Lindau Lessons: It’s OK to be ignorant
• Lindau lessons: Equality for genders, nations
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Today, we hear from Nishchal Dwivedi, a PhD student at the Bhabha Atomic research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai, who dwells upon why being ignorant about large areas in your field of research is fine, as long as you keep working towards overcoming this ignorance with a consistent quest for new knowledge.

Nishchal Dwivedi holding the Nobel Prize medal of Klaus von Klitzing, the 1985 physics Nobel Laureate. Klitzing let young researchers take pictures with his prize to encourage them to feel how approachable it is.

One of the most celebrated meetings, almost an annual pilgrimage for many Nobel Laureates, is the Lindau Nobel Laureate meet which is held on the shores of Lake Constance, one of the mighty beautiful lakes at the northern foot of Alps, with stalwarts in the field of education. I was picked as part of the 21-member team of physics students (graduate students, PhDs and postdocs) from India through a country-wide selection process that included a written essay and recommendation letters from our home institutes.

One of the most overwhelming things was the presence of the 29 Nobel Laureates happily giving us a peek into their vast knowledge. Despite coming from such different fields of study, it was very interesting how they often resonated similar philosophies.

The Lindau Nobel Laureates meet has made me a better researcher. As a student, we often get frustrated because of failures and ignorance. While doing research, we often find that despite being passionate about the subject, we remain ignorant about large areas of the discipline. Meeting these Laureates made me realise that they are all driven by a common force: the love and passion to explore the unknown.

This story of passion for the subject echoed in the oft-cited, powerful thought — it is ok to fail, as long as you keep up the hard work. Trying again and again, doing what you are zealous about despite the circumstances, is part of the journey to become a great researcher and that journey should be enjoyed, rather than being a cause for frustration. Being ignorant is fine until we keep working to overcome it with a consistent quest for new knowledge. This is the biggest message I am taking home from Lindau.

On the boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island

Meeting so many like-minded researchers and students from all over the world was a prodigious experience. My most cherished moment was the realisation that despite all the differences in tastes, cultures and philosophies, we were all able to become friends and share ideas, strung together by one common connection — the vehement vigour to do science. This subtle realisation made me feel part of a global intellectual society working on questions which will continue to reverberate long after the meet and contribute to human well being.

There are many students who may do very well in basic science research but they are anxious because of the long term commitment involved. I just have a message of encouragement for them — unlike other fields, research is curiosity- and creativity-driven and not driven by monetary benefits. It quenches the fundamental human instinct of inquisitiveness, which leads to an immense satisfaction of solving important problems for the society and to contribute to our understanding of the workings of Nature — and that is a far bigger canvas to paint.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Science is a journey, not destination
• Lindau lessons: Self-motivation is the key to long research careers
• Lindau lessons: Science is like a philharmonic orchestra
• Lindau lessons: Secret behind work-life balance
• Lindau lessons: Where have all the women gone?
• Lindau lessons: Equality for genders, nations
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems

In June 2016, 21 young Indian scientists made a trip to the beautiful island of Lindau, in south west Germany, to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, dedicated this year to physics. In this sunny side of Germany, 29 Nobel Laureates met with 400 young scientists from 80 countries in an informal setting, which has come to be celebrated as the hallmark of these meetings.

On a boat trip from Lindau to Mainau island, Nature India caught up with the Indian delegation consisting of master’s students, PhDs and Post-docs, freshly chosen every year since 2001 by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the German Research Foundation (DFG) to be part of this science extravaganza. In this blog series ‘Lindau lessons‘, Nature India will bring to you the unique experience of some of the young scientists from India who basked in the Lindau sun this year. Join their online conversation using the #lindaulessons hashtag.

Next up in the series is Ritabrata Thakur, a research scholar at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research – Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad. Ritabrata reflects upon the idea of equality of genders and countries in science — a thought that was much discussed at the Lindau meet.

Ritabrata with David J. Wineland, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in physics

On Lake Constance, Lindau is a beautiful island, and so apt to be the venue for such an exotic meet. Apart from science that we soaked in, it was the exchange of cultural ideas which made this experience so much more exciting.

For instance, I was surprised by a young Slovakian scientist when he said he knew about Hyderabad, the place I am currently settled in, and described to me the Operation Polo of the Indian government! Also mention worthy is a kind encounter with a Gambian caterer during a late dinner, over which we discussed the primary and higher education system of his country. I had the unique chance of talking to young scientists from many different developed countries as also from countries like Ghana and Slovenia, something you don’t get to do everyday.

The meeting had lectures, science breakfasts, poster presentations and discussion sessions with the Nobel
Laureates and special dinners at various places (including one in Austria) and organisations. The Nobel Laureates were humble and kind enough to share their personal anecdotes beyond their fields of work. We all knew that we could learn about their works from literature but not how they reached there. The one week of stay at Lindau allowed interaction with scientists and engineers from a range of fields and that is what is necessary for scientific advancement, to be aware of the works around the world.

We had the opportunity to meet the selected best and learnt about the current challenges in science from a first hand perspective. We also learnt a lot about research in Germany and the way the country has attained and sustained itself at such a top spot in scientific research.

The concept of a horizontal world with equal opportunities for countries and genders came up frequently in discussions. The idea of science is not to go ahead alone but to take along those from underprivileged circumstances or from politically disturbed regions.

Scientists are both followers and leaders. We have so many problems and so many open questions that we need many more people to come to science. For that we need to make sure that a career in science is conducive and affordable for women, who in this present world are associated with the primary responsibility of home-care.

The scientific community should also help children from disadvantaged nations. For, the future is in the hands of today’s children. The onus is on the youth to make the right channels for the younger ones to follow.

More in the series: 

• Lindau lessons: It wasn’t about science, it was about life
• Lindau lessons: Collaborations are the future
• Lindau lessons: Science is a journey, not destination
• Lindau lessons: Self-motivation is the key to long research careers
• Lindau lessons: Science is like a philharmonic orchestra
• Lindau lessons: Secret behind work-life balance
• Lindau lessons: Where have all the women gone?
• Lindau Lessons: It’s OK to be ignorant
• Lindau lessons: Nobel Laureates are humans
• Lindau lessons: Drenched in quasiperiodic systems