As part of its Leadership Lecture Series, GIIS Balewadi recently hosted an insightful and inspiring session with Mr. Ravi Kesharwani, Scientific Officer at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). The session offered students a fascinating glimpse into the world of space science, astronomy, astrophysics and scientific research.

Originally planned as a one-hour interaction, the session extended to nearly one and a half hours, reflecting the students’ keen interest and enthusiastic participation. With around a decade of experience in Space Science, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mr Kesharwani shared valuable insights from his professional journey, highlighting the challenges, experiences and learnings that have shaped his career.

Mr Kesharwani spoke about his contributions to the development of scientific instruments for the Aditya-L1 space mission and his ongoing experimental research on gravitational waves. He also introduced students to extraordinary cosmic phenomena, including black hole mergers and supernovae, helping them understand the scale and complexity of scientific exploration beyond Earth.

A key focus of the session was career awareness. Mr Kesharwani explained the various pathways and opportunities available in Space Science, Astronomy, Astrophysics and related fields. He also highlighted the importance of curiosity, perseverance, problem-solving skills and a research-oriented mindset for students aspiring to build careers in specialised scientific domains.

The interactive nature of the session made it particularly engaging for the students. They displayed immense curiosity about the Aditya-L1 mission, gravitational waves, black holes and other cosmic phenomena, and actively participated in the question-and-answer session. Mr. Kesharwani patiently addressed their questions and encouraged students to remain curious, explore their interests and recognise the possibilities that science and research can offer.

The Leadership Lecture went beyond a conventional classroom session, allowing students to connect directly with a practicing scientist and gain a realistic understanding of the journey behind scientific discoveries and achievements. The interaction encouraged them to look beyond immediate academic requirements and consider diverse and emerging career opportunities.

The session concluded as a highly enriching learning experience, broadening students’ understanding of space science and scientific research while inspiring them to develop curiosity, perseverance and a willingness to explore new possibilities. The enthusiastic participation and thought-provoking questions from the students reflected the success and impact of the Leadership Lecture.