Most kids her age hang out with friends and wait for the next movie to hit the screens. They splurge in cafes and go bowling. They shop, they talk and make merry. But Masha Nazeem isn't the average girl next door. She is a student, an inventor and an award winner for her various projects. She has met the who's who of Indian politics many times over and is creating waves in the field of Indian scientific invention, all at the age of 18.
NXg caught up with Masha in a little chat to talk about how she does what she does and why.
What are the projects to your credit so far?
I have eight innovations till date and my first one was when I was nine years old. Some of my projects have been a burglar alarm, conveyor belt system, flameless seal maker and a mechanical porter. These innovations have also gotten me five national awards and one international award.
How have you managed your academics with so much of extra curricular activity?
I usually do my projects during the summer vacation or any other time when academic pressures aren't too much. This has made sure that my academics haven't gotten negatively affected. I scored 90 per cent in Std XII and 94 per cent in SSLC. I am now doing my Ist year in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Chennai while also working on whichever projects catch my fancy.
Do you have any time left for other extracurricular?
I am a trained dancer, in both Bharatanatyam as well as Western styles. I've won prizes for that as well when I was seven or eight years old.
After EEE, what next on the academic front?
I want to do my MS in Physics from one of the leading institutions in India. I was offered a scholarship of a lakh per year by an academy in the North but turned it down primarily because I did not want to travel and live alone so far away from my family.
Your flameless seal maker has won many accolades at various forums. Tell us what got you inspired?
When I was in Std X, there was a report in the newspapers about an exam paper burning and people being injured. It struck me that if government offices, schools and colleges could all use a flameless seal maker, many fire accidents could be avoided.
Interesting! So give us a few more examples of where you got your ideas from.
I travelled to Japan on a scholarship given by our government and one of my biggest challenges there was not the language or the food but the luggage. I found it particularly difficult to lug my baggage around alone and from that experience, the mechanical porter was born!
So, where else have you travelled?
Apart from Japan, I've been to Sharjah in UAE outside India. Totally, I've travelled about 55,000 kilometres in five years to spread the message of science and my projects.
What about the recognition for your work?
The scene has been very positive. Even dignitaries like former President APJ Abdul Kalam met me at Rashtrapathi Bhavan when I requested for an appointment. I have no complaints on that front.
What is your message to everyone out there?
Parents should encourage their children in their chosen path, whatever it may be. For the students, here is one of my favourite quotes. ‘Take the path less travelled and the world will follow you.' And with those words of wisdom, Masha Nazeem left, leaving behind lingering thoughts of her accomplishments and her unaccomplished dreams that drive her forward. When asked if she ever missed doing what other kids her age usually do with her free time, her prompt reply was that the awards and accolades more than make up for her sacrifices. Recipient of Young Achiever awards and the youngest person to present a research paper at a world summit attended by representatives from about 46 countries, Masha Nazeem and her quiet demeanour prove that actions speak much louder than words.
Yashasvini has just finished her A Levels.
