Historic double gold medal: DA

Education

Historic double gold medal: DAV Durgapur's Soumik Mandal wins Global Earth Science Olympiad

Soumik Mondal, a class 12 student of DAV Model School, Durgapur, has made a historic performance at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) in Turin, Italy. Solidifying his position among the world's top young geologists, Soumik has won two gold medals and a silver medal on the world stage.

His remarkable journey began with him emerging from a competitive national field of around 18,000 candidates in the preliminary NSEESO, conducted by the Astrological Society of India, where he secured 11th position in the country. After undergoing intensive training at the National Orientation Camp at M.S. University, Vadodara, he stood second among all the participants and deservedly secured a place as a member of the prestigious four-member Team India team.

In Turin, Soumik showed his extraordinary skills, winning his first gold medal in the tough individual written and practical tests. Amazingly, he scored the third highest individual score in the world, setting a historic milestone in India's 19-year history of participation in the competition. He also won his second gold medal in the International Team Field Investigation (ITFI), where he showed remarkable collaboration with five international colleagues to solve complex field challenges. He also won a silver medal in the Earth System Project (ESP), which reflects his complete expertise in geotechnical engineering.

After his return to the country, the transformation from an aspiring student to a globally recognized scientific genius was celebrated at the highest level. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh formally felicitated Soumik at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi. The management, teachers and students of DAV Model School expressed their heartfelt congratulations on this unprecedented victory.

Soumik then said that representing DAV Model School, Durgapur, my journey began by being selected out of about 18,000 candidates in the Preliminary Examination (NSEESO), conducted by the Geological Society of India, where I secured 11th rank nationally. After undergoing rigorous training at the National Orientation Camp held at M.S. University, Vadodara, I secured my place in the four-member Team India team and stood 2nd among the participants who attended the camp.

At the 19th IESO in Turin, Italy, I created history by winning two gold medals and a silver medal. I won gold in the individual written and practical exams and achieved the third highest individual score for India in the 19-year history of the competition. I also won gold in the International Team Field Investigation (ITFI), where I had to work with 5 students from different countries. I won silver in ESP (First System Project). After returning home, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh felicitated me at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi.