Assam Student Selected for Prestigious Solar Astronomy Workshop
Himani Gurung's Remarkable Achievement
Digboi, July 26: A proud moment for Assam as Himani Gurung, hailing from the remote village of Pawoi Bongao in Digboi, has been chosen to attend the esteemed ADITYA-L1 Solar Astronomy Workshop. This initiative is associated with India's inaugural solar mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Himani has been selected for a hands-on workshop on Solar Astronomy organized by the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), scheduled from August 20 to 22 at the Department of Physics, University College in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Notably, she is the sole representative from the Northeast to achieve this distinction.
The workshop will provide Himani with practical experience in solar data analysis, utilizing observations from India's ADITYA-L1 mission, which is the country's first space-based solar observatory. Esteemed astrophysics experts and ISRO scientists will lead the sessions, offering valuable insights into the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar dynamics.
Himani, the daughter of Rudra Bahadur Gurung and Milimaya Gurung, comes from a humble farming family. Her father works in tea gardens and cultivates a small plot to support their household. Despite facing numerous challenges in her underdeveloped region, Himani has consistently pursued academic excellence.
"She has always excelled in her studies. Today, I feel our efforts have truly paid off. We are immensely proud," expressed Rudra.
Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Physics with a focus on Applied Physics and Astrophysics at Tezpur University. Previously, she secured the third rank in her undergraduate studies at Dibrugarh University. Her educational journey began at Margherita Saint Mary’s School, followed by higher secondary education at Salt Brook Academy in Dibrugarh.
"We are incredibly proud that a girl from our village has achieved this milestone. Her commitment and her parents' support are admirable. She has set a benchmark for others," remarked a community elder.
The Inter Institute for Research and Development of Physics is also significantly involved in organizing the workshop alongside IUCAA and ISRO, providing a platform for selected students nationwide to learn from leading experts in space science.